Construction of a clay tennis court

Due to tradition and the low cost of materials, clay is the most widespread type of tennis surface used for court construction (in reference to facilities in the country). Clay courts offered by Grimar are built based on many years of experience, using the highest quality materials. We exclusively use raw materials of natural origin that are environmentally friendly.

We manage projects comprehensively — the construction of a clay tennis court is handled from the earthworks stage through to the installation of the tennis surface, assembly of tennis equipment, and fencing.

In this case, the sub-base plays a crucial role; it must be not only durable and flexible but also have excellent permeability and wear resistance. The advantages of clay courts include a natural ball bounce, low impact on joints, and low construction costs. However, it should be noted that this type of surface requires intensive care, regular cleaning of the surroundings, and annual renovation work.

How is a clay court constructed?

1. Site Preparation: This involves removing the topsoil to prevent vegetation growth, leveling the area to achieve a flat and even surface, and installing a drainage system to carry away rainwater. Drainage is key to avoiding problems with water pooling on the courts.
2. Sub-base Construction: This begins with laying a layer of gravel, which provides basic stability and drainage. Next, a layer of crushed stone or coarse sand is applied to stabilize the court’s structure. Finally, several layers of fine gravel or clay itself are laid down.
3. Clay Surface Application: The clay surface requires the material to be spread evenly and compacted with a roller to achieve a hard, smooth surface. The surface should be level, well-compacted, and have a slight slope in one direction for better water runoff.
4. Fittings and Markings: In the next stage, the net is installed at the correct height (1.07 m at the posts, 0.914 m in the center), and the court lines are marked and painted with weather-resistant paint.
5. Finishing Touches: Finally, fencing should be installed around the court to prevent balls from leaving the area. It is also important to plan for regular maintenance activities, such as leveling the clay surface, filling in any gaps in the surface, and keeping it clean.

Clay courts are valued for their properties that allow for long rallies and reduce the risk of injury due to the softer surface. Regular maintenance keeps the court in good condition for many years.

Tennis courts with a Bergolit sub-base

We offer the construction of tennis courts with a Bergolit sub-base. A clay court built this way is flexible and is characterized by exceptional durability, excellent permeability, and great dynamics. The dynamic layer located beneath the thin top layer of the playing surface plays a crucial role. It interacts with the tennis court surface and also influences the quality of play, particularly affecting structural and physical properties such as water permeability, water storage capacity, load-bearing capacity, resistance to atmospheric factors, and abrasion resistance. The high expectations for the dynamic layer associated with these factors can only be met by using special construction materials. Bergolit with a grain size of 0/16 mm meets the requirements of the DIN 18035 standard and international standards.

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