Differences Between Clay, Grass & Hard Courts

Throughout the tennis season, matches are played on three distinct types of courts. It is one of the things that makes tennis unique, as very few other sports have such different playing surfaces out there.

For people who don’t have the opportunity to play on clay, grass, and hard courts, what exactly is the difference between all three?

It can be a totally different playing experience going from tournament to tournament with surfaces being so different. Although each location has its own uniqueness based on climate and build, these are the general characteristics of each surface.


Clay Courts

Playing tennis on clay courts is characterized as being slower and more physically taxing. Even though the surface is soft and forgiving on the legs, points are longer as players can chase balls down a bit more easily. With that said, it’s still known as the hardest surface to play tennis on.

Movement is different, as players slide when they change direction. Strategically sliding into shots is a tactic that helps a lot of players familiar with playing on clay.

High bounces are also prevalent on clay, especially if they are on the drier side. When it rains, clay courts are still playable for a bit. This will help reduce the bounce height, but the ball will move even slower through the court.

Red clay courts are found most commonly in Europe, as well as South America. Professional tournaments are mostly held in these countries, and players growing up in these regions tend to have a distinct advantage over others.

It’s very rare to find red clay in the United States, since it needs imported to play as it should. Couple that with a lot of maintenance, and most clubs do not feel like it is worth the effort. 

In the United States, most clay courts are a greenish-gray color that shares a lot of the same characteristics as red clay. It’s easier to maintain in just about any climate, and the upfront cost is also cheaper. Known by the brand name Har-Tru, a few smaller tournaments are relying on this surface. 

Grass Courts

Grass courts can be extremely fast to play on when the conditions are just right. It’s the one type of surface that still has a good amount of serve and volleying as a technique, because a player can gain a huge advantage on a great serve. Grass has to be grown on very hard-packed soil for it to hold up for play.

A brand new, well-treated grass court is going to be slick. Players will have to wear specific shoes that allow them to get just the right grip, or they will fall when changing direction. As a tournament goes on, grass courts start to develop patches in well-worn areas. Wimbledon is a great example of this, as the baseline will start to wear down even after a day or two.

Because of the natural surface, bounces can be dependent on just how healthy the grass is. Everything from the health of the grass to the length will impact what type of bounce a player will get. There have been many instances where players get frustrated with bounces late in a tournament, but there’s nothing that can actually be done to make improvements. 

When people think of classic tennis, they often picture grass courts and white clothing. Wimbledon carried on the tradition, but there are not a lot of grass courts still in use anywhere. It really comes down to the very restrictive cost. Installation is costly, but so is maintenance.

There used to be a time when the U.S. Open, Australian Open, and of course, Wimbledon, were all played on grass. Grass courts were phased out at the U.S. Open in 1974, and the Australian Open in 1987. On the professional calendar, the grass court season is usually about a month long. It happens right after the French Open, as players prepare for Wimbledon.

You can read more about why grass is the fastest surface in this post.

Hard Courts

The modern tennis game is mostly reliant on hard courts around the world. They are the easiest to put up, and require the least amount of maintenance. Just about every public park will use hard courts if they are putting in a court, simply because they don’t have to do too much to keep it looking nice.

Most hard courts provide pretty consistent bounces, but it varies in speed depending on just how gritty the surface is. If there’s a lot of texture to the hard court, it slows the ball down. Courts that are a bit smooth will play pretty fast, but not to the point of grass courts.

A perfect example of understanding how courts differ is comparing and contrasting the ways the courts play at the U.S. Open and Australian Open. The U.S. Open plays on what is called Laykold, an acrylic-topped hard court surface.

It is a little bit faster and provides a slightly higher bounce than the GreenSet material used at the Australian Open. It takes a little bit of adjustment going from venue to venue, but most players are able to change pretty quickly if it’s still on hard court.

Hard courts seem to cater towards players who are pretty well-rounded in general. Players can’t have a weakness on the hard court, or they will be exposed. Top players can slide on the hard courts a little bit, which helps with changing direction and being consistent overall.

What Else Plays Into How a Court Performs

Along with the surface of the court, there are a few other factors that people need to keep in mind. It will alter the way the game is played, and could be the difference in the match.

Weather

When it is warm with very little humidity, this is perfect conditions for a very fast court. The game slows down a bit when it is colder or muggier, and the ball can even start to feel a little heavier as well.

The court that changes the way it plays based on weather is clay. That’s because they are the only surface where people can continue playing if it is lightly raining. When a clay court gets wet, it becomes even slower for the ball.

Time of Day

The ball travels faster during the day than at night. The temperature is a bit warmer, and that helps to liven up the balls. Colder night temperatures sinks the air, making it denser.

Balls

It is up to each tournament as far as what tennis balls they use for the players. Since manufacturers can change, and no two manufacturers make the same exact ball, there might be slight changes. Maybe one ball does a better job of moving quicker on a surface than the other, which plays a role in how the match goes.

After the first match, most players are pretty used to how balls are playing that particular week. There is still a bit of an adjustment period, and something that needs to be considered.

Elevation

A venue’s elevation can alter the way a court plays. For example, playing tennis at sea level is much different from a mile or more above sea level.

The air is thinner, so it travels faster and easier at elevation. There are even high-elevation tennis balls for extreme locations that help offset the impact.

Location on Site

Location matters to a certain degree, but even within tournaments, location can matter as well. For example, the playing conditions at a Grand Slam event can be much different on an outside court compared to the main stadium. The main stadiums are all covered these days, so if it rains, it’s not going to cancel the match. 

There’s also different wind and different shade from the sun in the main stadium. Some players have complained about the conditions on the outside courts, only for it to be completely different for other players.

Finally, spacing even plays a role in location on site. This is particularly problematic on clay courts, as players are trying to chase down balls deep on the court. There’s more space behind the baseline for bigger courts than the outside ones.

Will Tennis Stick With Three Surfaces?

As recently as a few years ago, some tennis tournaments were still played on carpet. Those tournaments are all but extinct, making the modern game three surfaces only. Most seem satisfied with that setup, but something new could always come along. 

Modern players know that to be the best, they must find success on all three surfaces. Adaptability is huge in tennis, and only the top players have mastered transitioning to each surface for the most consistent results.

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