Tennis court dimensions & size guide

Being aware of correct tennis court dimensions is really important for anyone involved in the sport. In this article, we’ll provide a complete overview of tennis court dimensions, net height, playing surface and other important factors to be aware of.

The importance of knowing tennis court dimensions

There are many reasons why it's important to know the size of a tennis court.

• If you’re a player, being conscious of the size of a tennis court will influence your positioning, movement and tactics. It’s also helpful to know those dimensions when doing drills away from the court.
• If you’re a beginner, it’s useful to know the dimensions of a tennis court to know where and how to play. It’s also valuable to know the names of the lines on the court.
• If you’re a coach, the dimensions of a tennis court will influence the kinds of drills you give to your students.
• If you’re designing a tennis court for your own home - or for a customer who wants one - getting the correct tennis court size will be vital.

Official tennis court dimensions

The official dimensions of a tennis court are regulated by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), who publish a document on the rules of the game every year. The ITF’s 2024 Rules of Tennis states that a tennis court’s dimensions are as follows:

• The court is a rectangle
• It is 78 feet (23.77m) long
• For singles matches, the court is 27 feet (8.23m) wide
• For doubles matches, the court is 36 feet (10.97m) wide
• Court measurements are made to the outside of the lines (more below)

The rules also specify requirements for the net:

• The net must pass across the middle of the court
• Each end of the net must be attached to two net posts that are 3.5 feet (1.07m) tall
• The net dips slightly, so that it is 3 feet (0.914m) off the ground at the centre
• For a singles match, the centre of the posts must be 3 feet (0.914 m) outside the court on each side
• For a doubles match, the centre of the posts must be 3 feet (0.914 m) outside the court on each side

There are also specific requirements for the size and position of the lines on the court:

• The lines at either end of the court are called baselines
• The lines at the sides are called sidelines
• Each side of the net, a line is drawn 21 feet (6.4m) between the singles sidelines. These lines are called the service lines.
• Another line passes through the centre of the court, connecting these two lines. This is called the centre service line.

The final aspect of tennis court dimensions is the size of the lines themselves. The ITF specifies that:

• The centre serviceline is 2 inches (5cm) wide
• Other lines must be between 1 inch (2.5cm) and 2 inches (5cm)
• The baseline can be between 1 inch and 4 inches (10cm) wide

Junior tennis court dimensions

Kids’ tennis court dimensions are, unsurprisingly, smaller than the standard tennis court size.

Court surface type and effects on play

Although the dimensions of all official tennis courts are identical, the choice of surface will influence player movement and tactics. For example, clay courts tend to be ‘slower’ than grass courts, and this affects how you play.

Grass courts

Grass courts are the fastest courts to play on. You can expect fast and low bounces, as well as unpredictable bounces, so this surface requires quick reactions and speedy footwork. Grass offers much less friction than other surfaces, so generating topspin is trickier. It’s also important to know that grass can be quite variable, depending on how recently the grass was cut, the species of grass used, and how dry the ground is.

To play on grass courts, you may be required to wear grass court tennis shoes to avoid damaging the surface. These shoes have a flat outsole, good grip and a flexible upper.

Clay courts

Playing on a clay court is a very different prospect to grass. The courts generate a slow, high bounce. Clay is also grippy, so it produces a lot of topspin. You can expect to play longer rallies with plenty of defensive play. Another key feature of clay is that it allows you to slide across the court.

To play on clay courts, you’ll benefit from durable, grippy outsoles, which allow the clay to fall out of the grooves. They also tend to have durable uppers, which provides more stability during slides.

Hard courts

Hard courts are the most common courts, and are made from asphalt or concrete. The totally even surface means hardcourts generate predictable bounces, and a medium pace. You can make tennis balls skid on hard courts, which makes them appealing if you have a powerful serve.

Hard court tennis shoes may offer more cushioning than grass or clay court shoes, since the surface is so much harder. They also require extremely durable outsoles, since the friction caused by moving on concrete or asphalt is so much higher.

In detail: Our complete guide to tennis shoes

Essential tennis equipment

After a racket and balls, proper tennis shoes, clothes and accessories are the most important equipment you need.

Whether you’re playing on grass, clay or hardcourt, on adult or junior tennis court sizes, ASICS equipment is designed to help you get the most out of your game.

Adult tennis shoes

Our men’s and women’s tennis shoes give you a unique combination of support, comfort and technical innovation, which work together to let you play at your best. For example, our DYNAWRAP™ technology features in many of our tennis shoes - it secures your foot in place for added stability during side to side movements. ASICS’ GEL cushioning is used throughout the soles of all our tennis shoes, protecting your joints from hard foot strikes. And our use of TRUSSTIC technology in the midsole generates greater stability.

Our kids’ tennis shoes are designed to meet the needs of younger players, with extra protection and comfort.

Tennis clothing

Tennis clothing is made from lightweight, breathable and flexible fabrics which wick sweat. At first glance it may appear similar to more general exercise apparel, but it’s designed with specific features that enable the kinds of movements you make when playing tennis (i.e. swinging a racket, twisting, jumping etc.). You’ll also find tennis shorts have large pockets to hold tennis balls during play.

Women’s tennis attire typically includes polo shirts, t-shirts and tank tops, as well as tennis dresses, skirts and skorts. Men’s tennis clothing includes polo shirts, t-shirts and shorts.

Read more: Tennis clothing guide

Tennis accessories

Tennis accessories can have a big impact on your comfort and concentration. Lightweight tennis caps will keep the sun out of your eyes. Wristbands prevent sweat getting onto your palms, which is essential for gripping your racket. Tennis socks, meanwhile, provide additional cushioning and support.

Tennis court dimensions and beyond

As your tennis journey progresses, it’s really valuable to keep learning about different aspects of the sport. That’s why we created the ASICS Tennis Academy. The hub contains videos and articles about many different aspects of tennis, including drills, strategies and skills, with insights and training delivered by world class coaches. Find out more on the Tennis Academy website.