Whether you’re looking to add a tennis court construction to your home or commercial property or renovate an existing one, you’ll need to partner with the right professionals to get the job done. It’s a highly specialized field that calls for expertise in everything from design, product selection and installation to court accessories, surfaces and more. It also involves working to meet the stringent tolerances required by sanctioned play.

The first step is preparing the site for construction, which involves clearing the area and making sure there’s adequate drainage to protect the integrity of the court. Then the foundation is poured—either reinforced concrete or post-tension concrete. The latter features a slab that is poured over a grid of steel cables, which are tensioned as the concrete cures, improving tensile strength and allowing contractors to build thinner slabs without control joints.

The Ultimate Guide to Tennis Court Construction: From Planning to Play

After the foundation is in place, it’s time to lay down the surface, which can be either asphalt or concrete. Concrete is more durable than asphalt, so it’s a good choice if you want your tennis court to last for years. But even the best concrete courts can be damaged by the sun’s rays, so it’s a good idea to align your court to avoid direct sunlight for prolonged periods.

It’s also important to consider the location of your court—what kind of wind gusts do you have in your area? If the winds are consistent, they can disturb gameplay and make it hard to hit a ball.