‘Anyone for tennis?’ goes the famous phrase, and today, the answer is most definitely yes. Over the years, tennis has grown to become one of the most popular sports played in Great Britain, with more and more people picking up a racket.
However, with this increasing demand comes the need for facilities to ensure they provide premium playing conditions and added value for members.
One way clubs can do this is by considering an artificial grass tennis court installation, which has numerous advantages.
Unlike natural grass, artificial grass tennis courts are far less slippery in wet weather, and also dry out much quicker. This means that players can get back on and continue their game, increasing the court’s playing hours. Artificial grass can even be made out of a special yarn that doesn’t shine when wet or under floodlights, such as our Advantage Pro.
Over time, natural grass can become uneven and bumpy, which creates unfavourable playing conditions and can even increase the risk of injury. However, thanks to its resistant composition, an artificial equivalent remains smooth, providing true bounce and consistent play.
Furthermore, artificial grass gives developing players the opportunity to master all areas of their game, as it tends to play a little bit slower than natural grass. What this means is that the court can be used by players of all ages and experience levels as the slower pace of the game allows them to spend time perfecting their skills. As the rallies tend to last longer, players have the opportunity to develop their technique and work on ‘constructing’ a point by moving their opponent around and finding their weaknesses.
With so much competition among clubs, the standard and variety of facilities on offer is more important than ever. One sure fire way to boost your profile at a local level is to invest in a new artificial grass court. Not only do they meet the highest playing standards set by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), they are also available in various colour combinations, which will guarantee you stand out from the crowd.
In addition, to impress your members, it is also worthwhile considering installing a mix of courts with different surfaces types, such as clay. Each one will offer its own playing characteristics and will therefore teach users to adapt to different conditions.
What is also particularly great about an artificial grass tennis court is that, unlike natural grass, the coloured lines will not fade, even when exposed to sunlight and vigorous play. The surface is also more resilient in general, and despite players pivoting and twisting on it, artificial grass is far less likely to get damaged.
General maintenance is quick and easy, and brushing courts frequently is enough to ensure they stay smart, and don’t crack or delaminate.
Tennis can be a physically demanding sport, with players quickly darting from one side to the other in an attempt to get to the ball in time. However, another benefit of artificial grass tennis courts is that they are softer than a hard court, and therefore gentler and more forgiving on the joints. Compared to a natural grass court, artificial grass is also less slippery, which helps to further prevent the risk of injury.