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FACILITIES GUIDE | JUNE 2020
GRASS
A grass court can be simply a lined lawn, but most top-class grass courts are more sophisticated,
with careful specification of the type of grass that is used.
Performance
Grass courts are perceived to be one of the fastest surfaces, and favouring the serve and volley
style of play, which tends to produce the shortest rallies. Backspin is particularly effective on grass.
Use
Grass is not usable all year round, and courts are particularly sensitive to extensive use. A two-
week tournament will result in several areas of the court being devoid of grass. An alternative is to
use the court intermittently, or to move the court area (back to front and/or side to side).
Advantages
The playing surface is renewable.
Grass is a relatively cool and glare-free surface.
Disadvantages
Considerable maintenance is required.
Grass courts also take a relatively long time to dry, so potentially reducing playing time.
