Clay Tennis Court Maintenance

Maintain a clay tennis court for smooth play.

A clay tennis court is a stable, yet forgiving surface. It's not so soft that balls don't bounce properly, but it's also not so hard that it will hurt your feet and legs. Maintaining a clay tennis court prevents lumps, bumps and gouges from popping up in the surface.

Things You'll Need

• Drag brush
• Line sweeper
• Adjustable hose nozzle
• Court roller

Instructions

1. Take your drag brush to one corner of the clay court. Work your way up and down the entire court, pulling the drag brush to remove debris and uneven sections of the clay. Brush the area as you would if mowing the lawn. Drag brush the court at the end of every day or between each match.

2. Place the center of your line sweeper on the court lines or tape. Roll the line sweeper at a moderate pace, removing the dust and loose clay from the line. This should also be done between games and at the end of the day.

3. Spray water with an adjustable nozzle over the clay court. Set the nozzle to a medium-fine spray. Let the spray fall on the clay. Sweep the nozzle over the entire area until the court has been evenly dampened. You want few, if any, puddles at all.

4. Finish the clay court by pushing a court roller across the damp clay. This should be done after every watering. Cover the entire area as you did with the drag brush. This will prevent the clay from eroding and help with drying time.

References

• FDC: Maintenance Guide
• American Sports Builders Association