A 12 lesson Tennis guide called Understanding Your Game for you to finally understand why you are not performing at your optimum level in tennis. Learn the secrets of the professionals. Info from a high level tennis coach with over 40 years exp.
These days, tennis is quite in craze and a very popular game all over the world. Earlier, it used to be the game of only the upper class and supreme rulers society. But, we can see that there is a sea of change today. It has become a game for all the classes. It is played in every street and court. Also, schools and colleges have tennis as a game to be played. Previously, even if you had flair to learn tennis, it was way too expensive.
The game of tennis had become a rich mans game because the trainers were charging hefty amount of money to train. But now, any common man with a decent budget can learn tennis as it has become very economical. In earlier days, tennis was not that very popular game.
It is always preferable to have one to one coaching with the trainer. This will help you in becoming a professional. Even though there are so many videos available at nominal costs, it is better to hire a coach if you want to become a professional or an expert in the game. On the other side, if you want to just be familiar with the basics of the game, you should go for videos on the internet. This would be economical and will also save your time. A tennis racket, a tennis ball and a tennis court are the three most essential requirements if you want to play the game.
Irrespective of their age, people these days opt to play tennis. This may not only be a hobby but is also a very interesting game and a good exercise for the body. So, age does not really matter at the time of playing the game as long as you are having the passion for it. If you are getting bugged, you can call upon your friends and have a game of tennis with them. For more excitement, challenge them over tennis.
Playing tennis on a regular basis may have an effect on the body. One of the depressing things in tennis is the tennis elbow. It can be really excruciating sometimes, if you are not regular in playing tennis or irregular in your recommended exercises. The pain can be really unbearable sometimes. So, play with caution. Firstly, consult some respected coach or a doctor whether you can play tennis. If you can play, be vigilant of the maximum force that you can put while playing the game, so that you may not get hurt. Precaution is always better than cure.
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The first rule of tennis strategy is not to beat yourself. That means that your first goal when playing tennis is to keep the ball in play.
But just pushing the ball over won't do it if you are playing against quality players. Your shots need to be deep, with good pace to prevent your opponent from setting up for the shot and they need to be directed into open court to keep your opponent on the move.
So your first opponent in tennis is actually... tennis. You are dealing with tennis challenges - judging the ball flight, moving to the ball, timing the shots and trying to hit that big square over that 1m high net.
That's tennis and its demands.
Only when you are quite comfortable and consistent in not losing to yourself - or the tennis game - only then can you start playing against your opponent.
Now you are looking for general tennis strategies with which you will try either to neutralize your opponent's advantages or to take advantage or their weaknesses.
Let's see first the neutralizing strategies:
1. Prevent opponent from attacking with their strength - Majority of players have one shot better than the other and that is the first thing you need to notice. And most players prefer forehand against their backhand so playing to their backhand more would be a simple way of neutralizing their better forehand.
2. Prevent player getting in a good attacking position - A good attacking position is when the ball is short and at the right height, the ball could be off center so that the attacker has a good angle of attack, or the ball is simply not forcing your opponent to move so they can be more precise with their shots.
Good neutralizing strategies are logical: play deep, down the middle or keep your opponent on the move.
There are of course more neutralizing strategies and tactics but for now let's just master the simple ones before we move on to the advanced and expert tennis tactics.
Offensive tennis strategies are sometimes very similar to neutralizing. The only difference is your intention and sometimes the speed and precision of the played shot.
1. Take advantage of opponent's weakness - This is usually their weaker shot but can also be movement. By playing aggressively to their weaker side you can force a mistake or get a short ball which you can put away. Opponent's weakness can for example be their net play. You can then bring opponent to the net by playing short and then taking advantage of their poor volley and overhead skills to win the point.
2. Take time from opponent - This is the favorite strategy of players at all levels but many of them do not know how and when to use it to best effect. Most players just try to hit the ball hard which is one of the tactics to take time from opponent. Another tactic is to play the ball early like Andre Agassi used to play.
These are just two of the offensive tennis strategies that you can use to gain advantage in the point.
Remember - your first goal when playing competitive tennis is to be consistent and not lose to tennis itself. Only when you can play tennis consistently with very few unforced errors should you start thinking about trying to outplay your opponent.
Tomaz Mencinger is a tennis coach and a mental training coach. He shares his experience of tennis strategy on his website http://www.tennismindgame.com. If you are serious about improving your tactical tennis game don't miss his Tennis Strategy Encyclopedia ebook.
The tennis elbow condition is not limited to the sport of tennis: it can also occur as a sign of incorrect body mechanics repeated over and over again - such as the way you hold your computer mouse or the angle at which your arms rest as you type. Tennis elbow is very common and also very treatable.
In the game of tennis, tennis elbow is generally caused when a player uses bad body mechanics or incorrect equipment weight/sizes or a combination of the both. Basically if you play tennis regularly with a racquet that is too heavy for your arm and you strike the ball using incorrect technique you could cause a repetitive stress injury.
Technically, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) defines tennis elbow as a degenerative condition of the tendon fibers on the outside of the elbow. These tendons are responsible for anchoring the muscles that extend or lift the wrist and hand.
AAOS statistics show that while it occurs mostly in patients aged 30-50 it can and does occur in all age groups. As many as half of athletes in racquet sports (tennis, squash, racquetball) are affected - and there is not usually a specific trauma reported that sets off the symptoms. That means it can sneak up on you before you ever figure out you're injuring your arm.
In addition to racquet sports, fencing athletes are also commonly affected. Some occupations requiring repetitive and vigorous use of the forearm include raking, weaving, painting, meat cutting, plumbing, and more.
After being diagnosed with tennis elbow, in most cases, doctors will first attempt about 6 months worth of non-surgical treatment that will include ceasing the activities that cause the symptoms, icing the outside of
the elbow, and treating the pain with acetaminophen and/or anti-inflammatory medication.
Orthotics may be prescribed to help reduce symptoms by resting (immobilizing) the tendons and muscles. Counter force and wrist braces are two examples of orthotics. Never wear these unless specifically prescribed to you by your doctor.
Corticosteriod injections at the site of pain may follow the above treatments. The injections are designed to reduce inflammation and pain. To prevent further or repeated injury, you will also be firmly asked to modify or cease the movements that may have caused the degeneration.
Surgery is usually only recommended for tennis elbow in patients with debilitating pain and who have not responded to at least 6 months of treatment.
A typical surgery for tennis elbow involves removing the inflamed tendon tissue and replacing it with healthy tendon tissues. In most cases, this is an outpatient procedure.
In conclusion, tennis elbow is a common affliction and treatment is usually non-surgical. But in any case, if you have pain in your elbow and you believe it is some form of tennis elbow, you should visit a doctor who can then set you on the correct road to getting your arm healthy again.
Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes tennis, gardening, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on tennis, please visit Tennis Racquets, supplier of high quality tennis racquets and other tennis equipment.
So you are heading off to the tennis courts for a friendly match among friends. You pack your racket and balls, don your tennis warmup suit, pull on a pair of sneakers, and you are ready to go; right? Wrong; any old pair of sneakers will not do, and you need a pair of tennis specific shoes if you want to make the most of your game. Sure, tennis shoes look good and will complement your outfit - and fashion is important - but that is not why they are indispensable; function, not form, makes the proper shoes a must.
While tennis shoes may look like ordinary, generic sneakers, they are anything but. They are shoes designed specifically to help you make tennis moves while protecting you from injury. Further, they are designed to withstand the kind of wear-and-tear to which tennis is sure to subject them. A typical running shoe is designed for straightforward movements, and it is cushioned in the heel to absorb the pounding impact that running delivers.
However, a running shoe does not have the lateral support that one needs during the side-to-side movements that tennis demands. If you wear a running shoe to a tennis match you are likely to limp off the court with a sprained ankle; running shoes do not have a supportive upper that will protect you from a rolled ankle. A shoe designed for tennis has a supportive upper portion that will provide the stability you need to move quickly and avoid injury.
Watch the feet of some tennis players the next time you are at the court or watching on television. You will notice that many players drag their trailing foot on the ground during their ground strokes, and especially on their serve. You will also notice that it is the toe portion of their foot that is being dragged.
Tennis shoes - unlike many other styles of athletic shoe - have a reinforced toe that is usually protected by the same durable material as the sole of the shoe. Without this protection the typical tennis player would wear a hole in the toe portion of their shoe very quickly. A shoe designed specifically for tennis has this area covered so the lifespan of your shoes will be dramatically increased.
The sole of the shoe is where the rubber meets the road, and that is especially important in the game of tennis. The soles of tennis shoes are designed to provide superior traction because the tread is built with the court surface in mind. Further, the sole of a shoe designed for tennis is made from a material that will not leave unsightly scuff marks on the court surface. It is for this reason that many courts do not allow shoes that are not tennis specific on their courts.
Tennis shoes are available in a wide range of styles and colors that are sure to complement any outfit, and that is especially important if you are a style conscious player. But more important, a shoe that is specifically designed for tennis will protect you from injury, provide tennis specific traction, resist wear-and-tear, and protect the court as well.
For more information on tennis try visiting http://www.TennisQuestions.com, a website that specializes in providing tennis related tips, advice and resources to include information on the best tennis shoes.
Who invented tennis? That is going to be hard to say. There are various histories about the invention of tennis. Some individuals believe that that there are different types of tennis played by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. There are no any supporting descriptions or drawings of any tennis-like games; however, a couple of ancient-Egyptian time Arabic words are cited as evidence in some manuscripts. The word tennis, is believed to be derived from the French words such as tendere (to hold), tenez (to take), or tenir (hold this). The exact origins of the word are unknown. The term racquet (racket) is believed to be evolved from the Arabic word rahat, which means palm of the hand. Actually, the racket was invented in Italy in the year 1583.
Various games of ball and racket such as court tennis (United States), real tennis (United Kingdom), and royal tennis (Australia) originated from a 12th-century French game called paume, which means palm. Paume was a game played on a court where the ball was struck with hand. Paume evolved into jeu de paume (game of the palm) in which rackets were used.
In 1873, a game known as Sphairistik (a Greek term, which means playing ball) had been invented by Major Walter C. Wingfield, from which the modern outdoor tennis evolved. He first played the game in Wale at a garden party. In 1874, he formulated rules for lawn tennis. In addition, in the same year, he patented the equipment and the rules in London, which was very similar to the modern tennis. Following his invention, the equipment sets had been traded for use in Canada, China, India, and Russia.
The early tennis-like game was played on a sandglass-shaped court, widest at the service line and narrowest at the net region. In creating the new game Sphairistik, Wingfield adopted largely from the tennis-like older games.
Later, the game spread to Europe. Lawn tennis quickly became popular in Great Britain. Soon, the game was played in many parts of England. At Wimbledon, the All England Croquet Club held the first world tennis championship in the year 1877. During that period, the game was restricted only to male players. Later, the game became the renowned Wimbledon Tournament for the British National Championship. Still it is one of the most esteemed events in tennis. In 1884, Wimbledon inaugurated a tennis championship for women. Soon the womens tennis became popular in different parts of the British Empire, particularly in Australia.
Tennis spread to various parts of the United States through Bermuda. A friend of Wingfield introduced tennis to Mary Ewing Outerbridge of New York in the year 1874. The first mens National Championship was held at Newport, R.I. in the year 1881. Six years later, tennis championship for women was begun.
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The right tennis equipment, gear and apparel can definitely affect the way athletes play. Using the right equipment can spell the difference between winning and losing. In tennis, there are several tennis equipments and all should be chosen carefully.
In tennis, the equipments that are frequently used include racquets, balls, court and practice equipment, clothing and shoes. All this equipment can help players improve their game. Sponsors of top tennis players study each tennis player before giving them their gears to make sure that the equipment they provided matches the player's playing style.
For amateur players who want to improve their game, there are some tips they should consider when buying their tennis gear.
The tennis racquet is one of the basics of tennis equipment. Without it, you cannot play tennis. There are several tennis makers such as Wilson, Babolat, Dunlop, Gamma and many more. Choosing the right tennis racquet does not depend on the price of the racquet.
Just because it is expensive does not mean that it is the right one for you. Usually, the playing style of each player determines the right kind of racquet for them. The size, head weight, frame material and strings of the racquet can affect your shot. For instance, a stiffer racquet with a heavier head is less likely to send the ball into unexpected angles.
This means that players who use this kind of racquet can control the angle of the ball easily. On the other hand a racquet with a stiffer frame is more powerful. Therefore, it is a choice between power and control. Normally, when you pick one, you have to give up the other. Fortunately, racquet makers are finding ways so that players can have both without sacrificing any of the two.
Tennis balls are also important. One of the early popular balls are the Slazenger tennis balls. Slazenger is a British company which produces all kinds of sports equipment, one of which is the famous Slazenger balls for tennis. The popular tennis ball manufacturers on the other hand, include Wilson, Dunlop, Gamma, Penn and Slazenger.
Tennis balls are 2.7 inches in diameter and are usually yellow green in color. Traditionally, there are two types of tennis balls: pressurized balls and pressure-less balls. However, in theory, there are 24 different kinds of balls varying in speed, felt and bounce production.
There are many brands of tennis balls that are being used in different tournaments tournaments. One of which are the Slazenger balls. The Slazenger Company is the appointed ball supplier of Wimbledon since 1902 until 2015.
When buying tennis balls either for practice or tennis tournaments, it is best to try all the available balls so that you can pick one that suits your game. The durability of the ball is also a crucial factor. A tennis ball with good quality normally lasts for a month. The type of surface you are playing will also determine which ball is best for you.
In the case of tennis clothing and shoes, there are several brands which also produce all kinds of tennis shoes and clothing for different types of players. Just like other tennis equipments, the right shoes and clothes for you depend on your playing style and other characteristics such as your body built. Those who want to fully enjoy tennis should make sure that they have the right equipment, apparel or gears.
For more information on tennis equipment and slazenger tennis balls, you can visit thetennisshop.com.au All your tennis equipments and accessories are here!
Your concentration can be maintained by focusing on each single shot individually. Do not focus too much on missed opportunities and acknowledge good shots by your opponent (even if only in your mind!). Break the whole game down into little bits: concentrate on winning a shot, a game, a set, and ultimately the match. It is no use focusing all of your energy on making it big in tennis and all you can think about on the court is the nice restaurant you are going to afterwards, or even the screams from the avid spectators (hopefully for your superb tennis display!).
When buying tennis equipment, do not try to be too stingy. Get a decent tennis racquet, tennis shoes, and of course proper tennis balls. No use trying to play tennis with balls lacking a consistent and regular bounce. You would not believe the frustration of having to play with 'tennis balls' purchased at the local gas station. Also, do not use your quality tennis balls until they have lost all their hair - not all things get better with age (like wine)! I know decent tennis equipment can be pricy, but it is worth all your effort in the end.
When starting out with tennis as a beginner do not feel compelled to dress like a professional tennis player such as Roger Federer. On the other hand, do not play tennis in casual wear either. Dress according to the occasion and, in the case of tennis, dress comfortable to allow easy movement across the tennis court.
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Check it out!Singapore has excellent tennis centres and coaching facilities. Learning tennis in Singapore is easy. I found that tennis lessons or tennis coaching can be arranged from the following entities:
1.Private Tennis Lessons
There are various levels of tennis qualifications offered by the Singapore Tennis Association (STA). Go for someone with at least a Level 1 qualification. Most would charge a basic fee of $50 per hour, excluding court booking fees, if needed. There are group classes as well, usually, not more than 3 persons. Try looking for at least 3 of your fellow friends who wish to learn to play tennis and get an individual tennis coach. It will save you some money while still being properly trained.
2.Group Tennis Lessons
Group tennis classes are found at the various public tennis centres. These classes are for both children and adults. The benefits of such group classes are that they tend to be cheaper. However, the class size tends to be larger and therefore, you may not pick up the skill as fast as you would have wished. It would be better to have a combination of group and private individual lessons. You will get the best of both worlds, playing with others and also being coached more effectively.
3.School Tennis CCA
Tennis is a CCA for some primary and secondary schools. Again, the class size tends to be quite big but it is a good and fun way to learn your tennis amongst your peers. It is also subsidized and is therefore, cheaper. Some schools make CCA compulsory and therefore, if tennis is something you child likes, make tennis his or her CCA then.
4.Tennis Sections and Clubs
Unfortunately, there are not many purely tennis clubs in Singapore. However, there are many country clubs with tennis sections. Tennis sections are a good way to start improving your tennis once you are able to play fairly well. Nothing beats playing more and more against someone of your level or higher.
5.Tennis Academies
Unlike the more established tennis playing nations, we do not really have a successful and quality tennis academy. Tennis is not even featured in the South East Asian games for Singapore. Hence, tennis is not one of those preferred sport which is earmarked for further development unlike its sister sport of table tennis. However, one can always head north to Malaysia or Thailand where they have various tennis camps which cater to all levels of play. It is an intensive and highly effective way of improving your tennis as you do nothing but eat, sleep and breathe tennis for a few days!
As an avid tennis player, I had my fair share of experiences in trying to find out which are the best ways to learn tennis in Singapore. I hope this article will provide some guidance for all would-be tennis players! If you find this article useful and would really wish to learn tennis, please check this out http://www.1sports.asia/
Happy Learning & Playing!
Of course, just as in any game, there are certain tennis rules one must follow. The most basic of which can be broken into five categories. Here are a few tennis rules:
1. Opponents remain on opposite sides of the court:
This is quite a simple and self-explanatory one of many tennis rules to remember: one opponent on the opposite side of the net--directly across from the other opponent.
2. The right to serve: Determine how the match will begin:
a) The second of the tennis rules I am laying out for you, the server begins with the ball, and the receiver prepares to hit it from the opposite side. However, at the beginning of the game it must be decided. But the most basic tennis rules can be the most important. Who will serve? Who will receive?
b) According to tennis rules, with the toss of a coin or a racquet the decision will be made as to who begins as the server and who begins as the receiver.
3. The server: where to stand and when to serve:
a) The server stands behind the baseline, on the deuce court, within the same boundaries of the single court.
b) Note the dimensions of the court.
c) The server cannot serve the ball until his or her opponent is ready.
d) If the server misses his or her hit twice, the tennis rules state that he or she looses a point.
e) By the same token, if the ball hits the net between them and falls in the correct service box, the server will be allowed because of basic tennis rules another chance to serve the ball. But if the server moves into or onto the baseline too soon his or her serve will be called as a fault.
4. The receiver:
a) Tennis rules dictate that the receiver can stand where he or she likes, but can't let the tennis ball bounce into the service box.
b) The receiver is considered ready to go when an attempt is made to return the ball.
c) If the ball drops anywhere besides the service box a second attempt is allowed.
d) If someone hits the ball (either opponent) before it bounces, the point goes to the server.
5. The most important tennis rule: Points:
a) According to tennis rules, the server will always call his or her score first.
b) "love" means zero in tennis.
c) Tennis rules about scoring the first point:
When the server accomplishes scoring the first point, he or she receives a score of 15.
d) A 30:
The second point is called 30.
e) A 40:
The third point is called a 40.
f) A deuce:
According to basic tennis rules, the match is over when the score ends up 40-40 (a deuce). One side must have at least two more points than his or her opponent to win.
g) Advantage in:
An advantage in is a situation in which the server has a chance to win the next game if he or she scores the next point.
h) Advantage out:
An advantage out means that the receiver could win the game if he or she wins the next point.
It is a simple game that's not quite so simple--but you have to know the basics as well as the complexities of many different kinds of tennis rules. The better you know the game the better you will play.
Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, recreation, education and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles about tennis and tennis guidelines, please visit Tennis Rules.
If you are serious about tennis--you must focus on nothing but the game. You want to do your very best, but even someone with the greatest talent and skill can be unfortunately effected by painful tennis shoes. When your tennis apparel is not right, you are often distracted from your concentration on the game. This takes away from your potential and can then lower your confidence.
Therefore, you want to be sure you have tennis shoes from the very best manufacturers, and in the highest quality condition. This way you will not have to worry about your shoes getting in the way of your success. Often, the most popular and most expensive merchandise is best--but sometimes you can find higher quality tennis shoes from sources you never knew about before.
The designs of the different kinds of tennis shoes are steadily increasing. It is amazing how much the manufacturers can do. New lines of top-of-the-line tennis shoes are available in many places--especially great merchandise can be found on the internet--so don't go anywhere!
There are tennis shoes for children that are made in colors children love. For little girls there are pinks/white tennis shoes, purple/white, glitter pink or purple/white and much, much more! In her new canvass tennis shoes your little girl will be thrilled, comfortable, and ready to play.
For little boys there are tennis shoes made in the same plethora of different kinds of fashions. The style is up to you--and the colors are perfect for your boy. Blue/whites, black/off-white, green/white, and many more kinds of tennis shoes for boys are currently on the market. Your boy will be happy to play with his new, comfortable tennis shoes from a high quality manufacturer you can trust.
There are great and incredibly comfortable tennis shoes in new designs and styles for men as well as women. The really are offered now in more styles, designs, and choices than you could possibly imagine--not only to look good, but also to improve your game. All you have to do is find the very best tennis shoes for you.
The items I have briefly mentioned above are only few compared to all that exist among many other new styles being created. In some places, you can even work with professional artists and designers to get your tennis shoes custom designed. Just browse around!
Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, recreation, education and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles about tennis and tennis attire, please visit Tennis Shoes.
Tennis Skills Level Up
Agassi, Sampras, Kournikova and Hingis are some of the names immortalized by the game of tennis. Tennis had been a popular sporting event in the international scene. It could be played in singles or doubles. Since its creation, it had evolved drastically. This evolution or change had gone 'virtual' and simulation various tennis software are out in the market to hone and sharpen tennis skills.
Tennis: In Virtual Reality
Tennis software is an application that could be use to hone or work on related tennis skills through personal computer platform. It is a useful utensil that gets an individual an overall feel of the game. This software is designed to aid professional, amateur or rookie tennis players to play the game better. Since this is a virtual or simulation software, it may include some of these features like, phonebook, match scheduler, game and practice reports, stroke rating and charting, play notebook, drill library, helpful tips and of course, game analyzer. These elements would surely give tennis aficionados a feel of what it is to be involved, in a way or two, in tennis at the comfort of using their own personal computers. That is what tennis plus technology is all about.
Tennis: Throughout the History
According to accounts, tennis began in France during the 12th century and at first it was the palm of the hand that was used as a paddle or a racket to hit the ball. Rackets emerged in the scenario in the 16th century and during this period, the term 'tennis' was used as well. Tennis was played indoors and the ball was allowed to hit the wall. Royalty like Henry VIII of England really loved the game (the real tennis). In the late 1870's, the rules were devised and standardized. This evolution was made possible by the first championship games at Wimbledon, London.
The rules were propagated by the International Tennis Federation (formerly known as International Lawn Tennis Federation) in the early 1920's. This movement had made tennis and its rules stable for almost eighty years. The tie-breaking rule was just the notable change since the federation started implementing the rules. In the late 1920's, the first professional tennis tour was initiated and some French and American players performed exhibition games to paying patrons. Since then, professional tennis had been commercialized and its popularity soared internationally. Today, tennis is being played and enjoyed by a lot of individuals worldwide. Basics of tennis are also taught in some physical education classes and courses to promote healthy lifestyle and to promote the sports as well.
Playing Tennis
Almost all individual could possibly play tennis. To excel in tennis, an individual should have an interest in the sports itself. Investing on tennis paraphernalia (like sports gear, apparel and rackets) is definitely a must. Moreover, mental and physical preparation should also be considered because tennis is also considered a game of wits and tactics. Nonetheless, tennis should be played with passion and devotion in every game. In every sports, it is how an individual play the game that matters most.
Click here to learn more about tennis software or know about tennis court dimensions
Tennis courts are standard in dimension, but vary widely in surface material. Tennis rules dictate the length, width, and placement of the lines on a tennis court. Tennis courts have a variety of surfaces and can be either outdoors or indoors. In this article, we will introduce the basic dimensions and aspects of the tennis courts and discuss the different types of tennis court surfaces.
The rules of tennis dictate that tennis courts be 78 feet long from baseline to baseline. A net, 3 feet high in the middle, divides the court into two equal halves. Tennis courts are 36 feet wide from doubles sideline to doubles sideline, and 27 feet wide from singles sideline to singles sideline.
Unlike the dimensions of a tennis court, the tennis court surface can vary in character. The different surfaces have different characteristics that affect the style of play. Common surfaces for outdoor tennis courts include grass, red clay, green clay, and hard courts. In addition, indoor tennis courts often have hard surfaces or synthetic, carpet-like surfaces.
The very first tennis courts were made of grass. While the number of grass tennis courts has decreased in recent years, some remain, and the world's most prestigious tennis tournament, The Championships at Wimbledon, is still played on grass tennis courts.
Grass tennis courts are considered a fast surface because the ball moves quickly through the court when it bounces. Typically, the ball stays low and close to the ground. Because of the speed of the court and the unreliability of the bounce, historically players playing on grass tennis courts prefer to volley the ball out of the air whenever possible.
Red clay and green clay are the two types of clay, or slow, court surfaces. Red clay tennis courts are made of natural clay or crushed red brick. The French Open is played on red clay courts. Green clay, the more common type of clay court in the U.S., is made of Har-Tru, a mixture of crushed stone, rubber, and plastics. Clay courts are considered slow because the ball bounces more slowly off the court. Typically, players playing on clay tennis courts prefer to hit balls off the bounce from behind the baseline.
Hard courts, the most common court surface in the U.S., are another fast court surface. Hard courts are made of asphalt or concrete coated with a thin sealer and special paint. Some types of hard courts have more extensive, rubberized coatings. The ball bounces high off hard tennis court surfaces and moves through the court quickly. Because the ball has a reliable bounce and the ball moves quickly off the court, players can employ a variety of tactics. Generally, aggressive play is preferred.
Finally, tennis players also play indoors, especially during the winter, on indoor tennis courts. Indoor tennis court surfaces are made of concrete or a synthetic or plastic material that mimics grass. Indoor tennis courts are generally the fastest tennis court surface of all. At the professional level, hard serves, volleys, and powerful ground strokes dominate matches on indoor tennis courts.
For more information on tennis try visiting http://www.TennisQuestions.com, a website that specializes in providing tennis related tips, advice and resources to include information on the best tennis court.
