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Courtside - Articles - Choosing Colors for Tennis Courts
by Tilford C. Jones
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Acrylic tennis court surfacing material is available in a variety of colors. Most players have a
personal preference for court coloration. Too few, however, realize the important effect of color
selection on their games and their pocketbook.
When I build or resurface courts, I like to teach my customers the differences colors can have on
their courts' playability and aesthetic durability. When choosing colors for courts, one should consider:
- the effect of the court color on ball perception;
- the degree to which a color hides or highlights stains and wear marks; in other words,
its "aesthetic durability"; and
- the color's compatibility with its surroundings.
In one respect, single-colored courts ("one-tones") provide better ball visibility. According to
Dr. Herbert L. Moss, a Woodbridge, New Jersey ophthalmologist, playing on multi-colored courts
causes the eye to get tired as it changes focus from light to dark areas. Moss claims it is best
to "play on a court that is a medium green with similar colors for the surrounding area", which
includes fences, etc. If an owner still decides to install a two-toned court, it is best to keep
the colors as neutral as possible.
Sheldon Westervelt, President of Global Consult, Inc. of Manasquan, New Jersey, and a member of the
USTA's Facility Committee, believes, "Two-tone green courts with dark green in the middle surrounded
by light green on the outside have the best two-tone color scheme. The reflectivity levels of these
two colors are clearly the same, causing less eye fatigue than any other combination. From a
visibility standpoint, green/beige and green/red are the worst color combinations."
Steve Tidball, Tennis Director at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, remarks
that, "Any combination of blue, used outdoors, is unsuitable due to the extreme glare the color
produces". The common argument for two-toned courts is that they make it easier to determine
whether a ball is in or out due to the two contrasting colors. However, experts contend that
two-toned courts' negative effect on the eye's ability to focus far outweigh any minimal advantages
in line calling.
A color's ability to hide strains and wear marks is an important consideration in most installations.
Most color coatings, if properly applied, will last at least five years in normal to high-use facilities.
The darker the color, the better it is able to hide stains from some shoes, beverage spills, dirt, and
general wear and tear. When a court is surrounded by trees whose leaves are often left to rot on the
court surface, a dark color is essential to hide the discoloration. Lighter colors, especially beige
and red, highlight such stain marks considerably. It is fair to say that a dark green court will
look better longer than a red, beige, or even light green court when the court is used heavily or
surrounded by trees. Often, courts are resurfaced prematurely to eliminate the ugly stains and wear marks.
From a purely aesthetic perspective, it is best to choose a color that blends in with the natural
surroundings. Green shades look great in locations with trees and grass. Brown shades are in perfect
harmony with the desert colors of the southwest. In the eastern location, where trees are abundant,
nearly 90% of home-owners choose an all-green court. Most consider a two-toned court less than ideal,
in that they eliminate the private court appeal, making the yard look like a municipal setting. Others
want to stretch their dollar by having a surface that hides the stains from tree debris.
Both new court construction and resurfacing are expensive. By choosing a color that provides the best
playability as well as the best aesthetic durability, one is capable of making the most of his or her
tennis court investment while enhancing the overall project.
Tilford C. Jones is a USPTA Tennis Professional and is a Builder member of the United States Tennis
Court and Track Builders Association. He is president of Sport Systems, a Rockville, Maryland-based
tennis and sports facility construction firm.
Remarks by Dr. Herbert Moss are used with the permission of Tennis Magazine.
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