Basics of Layout

• As specified by the International Tennis Federation, the governing body of tennis, a tennis court is defined as a rectangle, 78 feet (23.77m) long and 36 feet (10.97m) wide. The court is divided across the middle by a net, which is set at a height of 3 feet (.914m) at the center.
  
  Each tennis court is bordered by lines called baselines (at the ends of the court) and sidelines (at the sides of the court). Each baseline is divided in half by a center mark 4 inches (10cm) long, which is drawn inside the court and parallel to the sidelines. In addition, two service lines are drawn between the sidelines, 21 feet (6.40m) from each side of the net, parallel to the net. On each side of the net, the area between the service line and the net is divided into two equal parts, called the service courts. All lines of the court must be of the same color, and they must clearly contrast with the court's surface color.
  
  

Dimensions--Singles

• For singles matches (matches played between two players, one on each side of the net), the playable area of the court is defined as a rectangle 78 feet (23.77m) long and 27 feet (8.23m) wide. For a singles match, the court may have either a singles net or a doubles net. When using a singles net, the centers of the posts holding the net up must be 3 feet (0.914m) outside the singles court on either side. If a doubles net is used, then the net is supported at a height of 3½ feet (1.07m) by two net posts that must be 3 feet (0.914m) outside the singles court on each side. In either case, the net must be 3 feet high (0.914 m) at the center.
  
  

Dimensions--Doubles

• For doubles matches (matches played between four players, two on each side of the net), the playable area of the court is defined as a rectangle 78 feet (23.77m) long and 36 feet (10.97m) wide. A doubles net must be used and supported at a height of 3½ feet (1.07m) by two posts, the centers of which are 3 feet (0.914m) outside the singles court on each side. The height of the net must be 3 feet (0.914m) at the center.
  
  

Surfaces

• The three main types of tennis court surfaces are grass, clay and hard court. The type of court surface has a significant influence on how a player moves around the court, as well as how the tennis ball bounces. Of all of the pieces of equipment used, it is the court surface to which a player must adapt the most. The professional tennis majors are played on varying types of court surfaces: grass (Wimbledon), clay (the French Open) and hard courts (the U.S. Open and Australian Open). This is why the professional Grand Slam (winning all four of these major tournaments) is such a revered accomplishment; it represents mastery of all three types of surfaces.
  
  

Importance of Layout

• In tennis, the intention is that the surface of the court, not the size or shape of the court, determines the method of play. That's why a consistent court layout is so important to the game. Grass and hard court surfaces favor harder and faster serves, which are magnified by the court surface, and serve and volley play is of utmost importance. Clay court surfaces, on the other hand, place the emphasis on shot placement. It has never been the intention of the sport to force a player to adjust not only to the court surface but also to a different court size; as such, the tightly defined dimensions of the tennis court are integral to the sport and are rigidly enforced.