Everybody knows that tennis net is an essential part of any tennis game. No net, no game, no fun. However, not many people know what are the right sizes of a tennis net. Either you want to buy new tennis net for your court or club, or you just want to know more about tennis, here you will find all useful information about tennis nets.
TENNIS NET SIZES
According to International Tennis Federation (ITF) rules, Tennis Courts shall be 27 feet (8.23 meters) wide for singles matches and 36 feet (10.97 meters) wide for doubles matches. However, tennis net should be wider as you have to attach it to side posts, which are placed 3 feet (0.914 meters) outside of the court. That means you need 33 feet (10.058 meters) wide tennis net for singles matches, respectively 42 feet (12.798 meters) wide tennis net for doubles matches.
Tennis Clubs, with exception of Wimbledon center court, will not have courts just for singles matches as it is a waste of money. So when buying your tennis net check the length of the net and compare with the size of your tennis court. However, 42 feet tennis net length is standard almost in every shop.
Do not forget that mesh of the tennis net should be sufficiently small that the tennis ball will not go through. However, usually, the net in tennis shops fulfill these criteria.
Official Tennis Court Dimensions
Tennis Court Length (Singles and Doubles): 78 feet (23.77 m)
Tennis Court Width (Singles: 27 feet (8.23m)
Tennis Court Width (Doubles): 36 feet (10.97m)
Tennis net posts height: 3-1/2 feet (1.07m)
Tennis net height (at center): 3 feet (0.914m)
Maximum diameter of cord or metal net cable: 1/3 inch (0.8cm)
Maximum width of strap for net: 2 inches (5cm)
Band for top of net (on each side): between 2 inches (5m) and 2-1/2 inches (6.35cm)
Tennis net post diameter: may not be more than 6 inches (15cm) in diameter (or square)
Singles sticks: may not be more than 3 inches (7.5cm) in diameter (or square)
Tennis net posts and singles sticks: may not be more than 1 inch (2.5cm) above top of net cord
Center service line and center mark: 2 inches (5cm) wide
Other lines of tennis court: between 1 inch (2.5cm) and 2 inches (10cm) wide
Baseline: may be up to 4 inches (10 cm) wide
MATERIAL OF TENNIS NET
Tennis nets are usually made of Polypropylene or Polyethylene. At the top, there should be metal cable or cord which you will connect to side posts. The cord or metal cable has to be covered with the band. The band should be white color, the same as a strap. The band size should be between 2 and 2.5 inches (5 and 6.35 centimeters).