Building or Renovating a Court

Building and looking after Real Tennis Courts 

There are detailed reports on courts that have been built in the past 30 years or so which can be found here  

It may be useful to consider the following list of decisions relating to building, renovating and maintaining courts. These decisions can materially affect play, use and operation of a court.  A visit to the dimensions page will also give some useful information about existing courts.

Construction

  1. Floor construction 
    • [Different construction methods. What has worked well in the past. Finish. Colouring]
  2. Playing wall construction
    • [thickness and finish plus understanding of ‘trampoline’ effect. Different construction methods and necessary dimensions. Bickley method and detail compared to modern. Effect on play] 
  3. Tambour angle 
    • [Small differences matter, and it will ‘play in’ over 12 to 18 months (ball goes deeper after this time) Angle and finish variances and effect on play] 
  4. Penthouse and bandeau construction 
    • [Construction options, best results and bandeau variations – sawdust] 
  5. Penthouse angle 
    • [Effect on play, especially serves] 
  6. Gallery and other opening sizes and ledge/edge details 
    • [Tapered vertical edges? rounded corners? wood or stone?] 
  7. Gallery post detail and position 
    • [7 & 8 – reasons for decisions] 
  8. Gallery/dedans ball trough design 
    • [How they can affect and ease play] 
  9.  Floor ball trough design at the net 
    • [9 & 10 – what works well and issues if not well designed] 
  10.  Ball collection hole design
  11. Roof design
    • [How can maximum height be maintained without adding cost or impacting on structural integrity? Planning and maintenance considerations] 
  12. Window design 
    • [affects lighting but also comes under envelope design for preventing leaks. Glare issues, ventilation and operation]

Renovation 

  1. Floor finish 
    • [Why you might paint/seal, technical options and gloss level. How play can be affected. Grinding. New floor MM] 
  2. Wall finish
    • [Types and technical detail regarding effect on play and ball wear] 
  3. Penthouse finish – determines grip and hence how serves react plus impacts on penthouse cleaning 
    • [Natural vs painted/varnished and different grip levels] 
  4. Gallery/dedans netting
    • [Materials, best practice and marking – Tuxedo] 
  5. Net post design, position and tensioning mechanism 
    • [5 & 6 set up, measuring and best practice] 
  6. Net fixing detail both ends 
  7. Marker’s box  
    • [Ensure complete and safe netting even with regular traffic. Matting to minimise ‘dust’ on court. Construction, floor, safety and viewing] 
  8. Out of court line
    • [If possible, have a system which aids markers/players in determining out against in. Construction and finish. Marking] 
  9. Ball baskets/tubs 
    • [Different shapes and styles – coaching] 

M&E and Technology  

  1. Ventilation, heating and cooling 
    • [Design parameters, locations, noise level, operation] 
  2. Lighting design 
    • [Renders, positioning, glare, controls] 
  3. Light switching  
    • [Automatic controls? dimming?] 
  4. Gallery and dedans lighting
    • [Should avoid affecting on court condition. Design, glare control] 
  5. Streaming/cameras
    • [What needs to be built in and how can that be done without affecting play. Fixed vs temporary, design, operation, effect on play]