TENNIS COURTS

Supreme Kourts®: Your Destination for Tennis Court Excellence in New Jersey

Since 1958, Supreme Kourts® has been a reputable brand in athletic court workmanship, serving Deal, New Jersey, and the surrounding counties of Monmouth County and Ocean County as the leading authority in tennis court construction. We are committed to offering unmatched expertise in creating elite tennis courts that exceed the highest standards. Our record of excellence spans over six decades.

Discover how Supreme Kourts® can make your dream tennis court a reality by giving it an unsurpassed degree of accuracy and quality.

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Tennis Court Installation

Supreme Kourts® has a proven installation program that will provide you with today’s highest-quality construction. We have developed a proprietary program over the past several decades that has proven itself with our numerous successful installations.

We prepare the site for installation using the latest technology plus our unequaled experience. Our team will then install a concrete curb around the exterior of the court, either an above-ground or underground irrigation system. The final step is a generous layer of quality Har-Tru installed for a stunning, smooth tennis court that will last generations.

Har-Tru’s environmentally-sensitive construction for your tennis court surface is a cost-efficient choice. The minimal need for future maintenance makes it affordable and time-efficient to have a tennis court that stands up to the toughest players’ demands. Supreme Kourts® is renowned throughout our tennis court construction industry as the finest builder of clay tennis courts. Our clay court maintenance programs include annual court resurfacing.

A North/South orientation is generally desirable for outdoor courts to avoid background glare at dawn or dusk. Orientation should also consider other structures and features on the site, such as neighboring property, vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and prevailing winds. Topography of the site and efficient site utilization should be considered as well.

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Tennis Court Dimensions

Tennis is played on a rectangular flat surface, usually grass, clay, black top concrete (hard court), or a synthetic suspended court. The dimensions of a tennis court are defined and regulated by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) governing body and are written down in the annual’ Rules of Tennis’ document.[1] The court is 23.78 meters (78 feet) long and 10.97 meters (36 feet) wide. Its width is 8.23 meters (27 feet) for singles matches and 10.97 meters (36 feet) for doubles matches. The service line is 6.40 meters (21 feet) from the net. Additional clear space around the court is needed for players to reach overrun balls for 18.3 meters (60 feet) wide and 36.7 meters (120 feet) long. A net is stretched across the entire width of the court, parallel with the baselines, dividing it into two equal ends. The net is 1.07 meters (3 feet 6 inches) high at the posts and 0.914 meters (3 feet) high in the center. The net posts are 3 feet (0.914 m) outside the doubles court on each side or, for a singles net, 3 feet (0.914 m) outside the singles court on each side.

Custom Tennis Court Construction

Today, there are a variety of materials that you can choose from, such as HarTru and popular all-weather for Tennis or all-weather in full or partial basketball courts designed to your colorful specifications. All Weather has many more versatile applications with long-lasting durability and a timeless look that most other materials cannot outdo. You can choose from several types of playing surfaces, textures, and colors to achieve the right color, texture, play, feel, and maintenance issues that work for your lifestyle and budget.

You can customize your court’s design by choosing the surrounding landscaping, fencing, windscreens, etc. Your design requirements will influence the look of the courts so that you can customize it to the full extent and have it blend into your surrounding landscaping or stand out and be the centerpiece of your estate.

Customizing virtually any item is also available! A custom fencing and windscreen selection is also an option, or if you had something else in mind, such as incorporating seating and refreshment facilities into the final design, it could also be attainable.

Introducing custom courts onto your property will add to your home’s overall look and value. Guests and family members will love the elegant and sporty look, and you will enjoy the health benefits, durability, practicality, and ease of design and function. Remember, different types of courts are used when designing a recreational and health amenity. You will find plenty of help and ideas when you contact Supreme Kourts®. Take advantage of our expertise as the final authority in recreational designs.

Supreme Kourts® is recognized throughout our industry as the leader in sports construction. We have dedicated our company to enhancing the performance and appearance of every handmade custom project we become involved with. For over seven decades, we have served homeowners and sports enthusiasts as their trusted partners in constructing professional quality athletic facilities, no matter the project’s type, size, or scope.

Supreme Kourts® surface systems eliminate hard court cracks with our Armor crack elimination system, which can be applied on properly constructed asphalt, concrete, or existing acrylic surfaces. Supreme Kourts® has many surfacing options, from high-end, professional facilities to a backyard court, such as Nova Sports, Laykold , and more. Call us today if you want cost estimates for tennis court construction or resurfacing and crack repairs!

Hartru, hydro, & Clay Tennis Courts

Supreme Kourts® is the clay court specialist. A clay court is one of the most popular surfaces in the world because of its striking ability to mimic the ideally preferred play of grass along with grass’ long-term health benefits and overall comfort of play, all without the prohibitive expense of maintaining grass.

Sophisticated sub-surface irrigation systems have reduced water usage and improved maintenance procedures. We were the first major supporter of the newly introduced HarTru ’ faux clay’ surface. We recognized the obvious cost, health, maintenance, and aesthetic advantages that Har Tru offered over traditional red clay and other surfaces.

Supreme Kourts® as a respected premiere founding HarTru dealer—HarTru clay courts require daily maintenance to ensure the surface is leveled and compacted each day to keep the surface in top condition. Supreme Kourts is also Certified Hydro Court Installer. We also offer seasonal opening and closing services, clear the courts of winter debris, put down new lines, and professionally prepare your court for the upcoming season. At the end of the year, we roll up the lines, take the net down, remove and refresh the net posts, windscreens, and center net anchor, and then place them into storage to protect and extend their practical life now that this equipment is removed from the damaging elements over the harsh winter months.

All Weather/Hard Tennis Court Surfaces

All Weather tennis courts can be utilized in virtually all geographical regions and seasons, plus provide endless usage when properly installed and maintained—eliminating any need for a sophisticated watering system that natural organic court surfaces require.

All Weather and Hard Courts will require resurfacing every 5-7 years to keep them looking new and provide protection against naturally destructive daily weather wear & tear. After surface upgrades such as eliminating cracks with our Armor Crack crack elimination system or settling, discoloration, etc., the court will essentially be brand new and provide years of continual quality play for your family and guests. Supreme Kourts® objective is to deliver a court that not only plays to professional standards but is comfortable for both the active and casual players, plus complements the beauty of any surrounding landscape.

All Weather courts are made of asphalt or cement material, offering greater bounce consistency than other outdoor surfaces. All Weather can vary in speed. The quantity of sand added to the surface paint can significantly affect the rate at which the ball slows down. The U.S. Open is played on an acrylic paint by Laykold , while the Australian Open is played on a synthetic All Weather.

Supreme Kourts® maintenance program for All Weather includes clearing debris and vegetation, installing nets and net posts, fixing cracks on troubled courts with our Armor Crack, and resurfacing (recommended every 5-7 years). Adding cushion to your acrylic paint by Nova Sports will provide consistent bounce, sure footing, and outstanding durability. Cushioned surfaces are healthier, respond to body impact, and reduce fatigue on the player’s legs, knees, ankles, and feet.

The hardness level is the main difference between a synthetic Hard Court and a true Hard Court surface. When the ball bounces on this surface, it is faster than all other surfaces if there is not much sand in the top layer of paint. The amount of sand used in the surface paint and the size of the sand granules also determine the speed – more sand means less speed, and larger sand particles will slow the speed of play. Products such as Cushion Extreme is composed of 16 (sixteen) layers of meticulously sprayed-on material. Fiber Glass Overlay (see photo gallery below) is done once the cracks are fixed and the court is ready for paint.

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Grass Tennis Courts

Grass courts were originally among the most common tennis surfaces but are now rare—primarily due to the introduction of newer, more durable, economically feasible surfaces. In addition, grass has much higher maintenance costs and somewhat limited geographic and seasonal compatibility—as grass must be watered, cut, manicured, and rolled daily under ideal conditions. Plus, fresh lines must be painted on the court before each use. Also, a grass court must be allowed a period to “rest” after each use to naturally regenerate worn areas of play on the court, which cannot be rushed. Like any living organism, grass must have ample natural sunlight, proper nutrition, fertilizers, and vital hydration.

Grass understandably takes more care and time to dry after watering or rain than self-draining artificial All Weather. There is no disagreement that the classic grass surface is stunningly beautiful and provides the most highly desired “fast” game surface—it is the most compatible for the human body in part due to grass’ unique shock-absorbing comfort characteristics. All other “alternative” court surfaces today attempt to replicate grass’ unique attributes at a more manageable cost with varying degrees of success depending on the use and composition of surfaces chosen. For a more extensive discussion of the skills most advantageous on grass court, see grass-court specialist. England’s Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam event played on grass. The need for grass courts is still in demand among both professional and non-professional severe players.

Indoor Tennis Courts

Indoor wooden courts date back to the dawn of Tennis. Today, All Weather courts are very common indoors. Slower, higher-bouncing rubberized surfaces are used for a cushioned feel. Clay courts, too, are installed indoors, generally with underground watering systems. When Tennis began its American introduction, barnstorming professionals played on canvas laid over wooden basketball courts up to the 1960s, for information about the original indoor Tennis and tennis courts, see real Tennis and the history of Tennis.

Supreme Kourts® constructs various All Weather acrylic color-coated tennis and basketball courts, including shock-absorbing cushion surfaces such as Cushion Extreme and Clay Tech by Lee Tennis.

Different speeds of tennis court play can be obtained by altering the desired texture of your tennis court surfaces. Supreme Kourts® provides total tennis court construction, including fencing, lighting, windscreen curtains, plus maintenance equipment. Supreme Kourts® turn-key tennis court installation assurance programs reduce costs and worry over planning problems, plus all vendor coordination.

By utilizing the latest technology and developing innovative construction techniques, Supreme Kourts® achieves the highest quality tennis court installations available today. These capabilities are backed by our extensive experience building quality tennis courts for over seven decades, plus our attention to detail customer service.

Supreme Kourts® maintenance program for All Weather includes clearing debris and vegetation, installing nets and net posts, fixing cracks on troubled courts with our Armor Crack, and resurfacing (recommended every 5-7 years). Adding cushion to your acrylic court will provide consistent bounce, sure footing, and outstanding durability. Cushioned surfaces are healthier, respond to body impact, and reduce fatigue on the player’s legs, knees, ankles, and feet.

History of Tennis

There are several theories as to the origins of Tennis. Still, many believe that the early form of Tennis dates back to the 11th century when monks used to play handball around the cloisters of monasteries. The game gradually evolved into Real Tennis, the precursor of the modern game, and became very popular with the French and British nobility. Henry VIII was a keen player and had the original Real Tennis court built at his Palace at Hampton Court, but Charles II later re-modeled the court in the 17th century to the court that exists today, which is the oldest in Britain.

Real Tennis was and still is played on hard surfaces, wood or stone, and it was not until the late 18th century that “Field Tennis” or “Long Tennis” began to evolve on grass courts. It wasn’t until the Victorian era that the game of Lawn Tennis as we know it today became popular. Major Walter Clopton Wingfield patented his version of the game in 1873. His design of the court was much the same as it is today in terms of marking, but the shape of the court was in an hourglass design.

The shape of the court was modified in 1875 to today’s design, and official rules of Lawn Tennis were drawn up by Marylebone Cricket Club. Wimbledon’s All-England Croquet Club adopted the sport in 1880 and subsequently changed its name to the All-England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, home of the Wimbledon Championships.

Until the early 1970s, most tennis tournaments were played on grass, including three Grand Slams—Wimbledon Championships, the Australian Open, and the U.S. Open. Wimbledon is now the only Grand Slam event played on grass, while many professional tennis events played on grass occur in England.

The modern game of Tennis originated from medieval Europe in the 12th century.
Real Tennis was played by members of royal families, including Henry VIII.
The rules of lawn tennis were refined in the late 19th century.
The four grand slams were established in 1905 and remain the same today.

From the royal courts of England and France to the center court at Wimbledon, from Henry VIII to Federer the Great, Tennis is steeped in history and tradition. The precise origins of Tennis are disputed, with some historians dating it back to Ancient Egypt. According to the official Website for “Royal Tennis,” the game was played in fifth-century Tuscany in Italy when villagers struck balls in the street with their bare hands. A more definable version was played by European monks, mostly in Italy and later France, in the 12 century, based around a closed courtyard.

As it became more popular with the aristocracy, Real Tennis, as it was termed, grew in popularity, particularly among the French nobility, and reached its peak in the 16th century as the rules and equipment became unified. Francis I of France, who reigned from 1515-47, was an enthusiastic player and was responsible for building many courts and promoting the sport among a wider cross-section of people.

Tennis Scoring

Not to be outdone by his French counterpart, on the other side of the English Channel, Henry VIII (1509-47) was a skilled practitioner of the sport and famously built a court at the Royal Palace of Hampton Court, which still survives today and is used for modern competition.

Henry’s second wife, Ann Boleyn, was watching a game of Real Tennis in Whitehall when she was arrested, and according to the official Website of Hampton Court, legend has it he was playing when told she had been executed. That was not a “love” match, but from Real Tennis it is generally accepted the modern tennis scoring system and terminology evolved. The love originates from the French word for egg “l’oeuf”, symbolizing “nothing” as Lesley Ronaldson, a Real Tennis professional living at Hampton Court, told Open Court. In lawn tennis, it’s 15-30-40 games, abbreviated from 45 in 1800,” she said. “The game evolved in Italy and moved to France, and the scoring system evolved from there where everything was done by 15, so that was the natural thing to do to score points in 15s. “And love, for instance, was something you did for nothing. You did something for nothing. It comes from there,” she added. Even the word Tennis has French origins from the medieval era, derived from the tenez, from the verb tenir, to hold. It was shouted out by a player about to serve like a golfer hitting a drive in the direction of others shouting “fore.”

Real Tennis continued to grow in popularity and was widely played in the 17 and 18century, but by the French Revolution and with European royal families besieged, interest dwindled. Other racket sports also emerged, such as racquets, squash racquets, and lawn tennis, widely credited to an Englishman, Major Charles Wingfield, who patented the equipment and rules for the game in London in 1874.

Wingfield’s efforts were refined by the All-England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, who staged their first tournament on the lawns of Wimbledon in 1877, with Spencer Gore winning the men’s singles and the grand sum of 12 guineas ($18). They adapted Wingfield’s original version to play on a rectangular court. Over the next few years, they made further changes to lower the net, reducing the box size into which the service could be hit and allowing overarm serving.

The “let” was also quickly introduced, giving the player a second chance when his delivery hits the net cord and falls into the correct service box. Remarkably, tennis’s rules and scoring system have hardly changed since the 1890s, with the tiebreak adoption in the 1970s being the only major difference. With the tiebreak coming into play when two players are tied at six games apiece, this shortens the potential for marathon matches and was first widely used in the professional game.

The four grand slam events were also established in this era, with Wimbledon in 1877, the U.S. Open four years later in 1881, the French Open (1891), and the Australian Open in 1905.

Terminology

Alley (Tramlines)—The lanes on each side of the singles court, one on the ad side one on the deuce side. These are only used when playing doubles.
Back Court (‘No man’s land’) —The area between the baseline and the service line. It is not recommended to play in this area because this is where balls usually bounce.
Baseline—The rearmost line of the court, furthest from and parallel to the net.
Center Service Line—The line dividing the two service boxes on each side.
Center Niblet—The 12-inch mark at the halfway point of the baseline used to distinguish the two halves (and service boxes) of a tennis court.
Deuce Service Box or Deuce Court—The receiver’s right side service box, or the opponent’s left for the server, significant as the receiving side for a deuce point.
Middle T—See T.
Service Box—The area on each side bounded by the singles sideline, the service line, and the net. There are left and right service boxes separated by the center service line.
Service Line—The line parallel to the net and between the baseline and the net. It marks the end of the service boxes.
Side T—The T shape formed by the service line and the singles sideline. There are four such side Ts, two on each side of the net.
T or Middle T—The T shape is formed by the service line and the center service line.