Clay Courts versus Hard Courts
In short
clay lets players slide into their shots, which the study below links to fewer lower-body injuries, and Har-Tru says its clay stays 10 to 15 degrees cooler than hard courts. In return, a clay court needs regular care: brushing, watering and new material each year.
Tennis players can choose to play on a variety of court surfaces such as hard, clay, grass, or carpet, rubber, polymeric courts. Of the estimated 250,000 tennis courts in the U.S, 70% are hard, 14% clay, and 15% are in the “other” category (carpet, rubber, poly metric, etc.). Often the court surface chosen by a player is due to a lack of options or player preference due to the player’s strengths.
The granular surface of a clay court acts as a shock-absorbing cushion, allowing players to slide into their shots. This prevents the joint jarring stops that occur on hard surfaces. Pain and/or injuries are substantially lower on tennis surfaces that allow sliding (i.e. clay), compared to surfaces that do not allow sliding. Studies show that the differences in lower extremity injury frequency are directly related to the differences in the frictional properties of the surfaces. The frictional characteristics of the tennis court– shoe interface are a major risk factor for lower extremity injuries in tennis. The injury frequency on clay is significantly lower than on hard courts. The surface with the higher frictional coefficient enhances the speed of the game but also induces more frequent injuries as players perform at a greater rate of acceleration, speed and torque
Study by Dr. Benno Nigg, Director of Human Performance Laboratory, University of Calgary, Canada
Link to study (opens in a new tab)
Cooler to play on
Har-Tru, whose clay tops every HydroCourt, says its surface stays 10 to 15 degrees cooler than hard courts, for a more comfortable game in hot weather. Har-Tru also says its surface reduces the risk of common tennis injuries to the lower extremities, in line with the research above.
What a clay court needs in return
Har-Tru describes the routine. Brushing spreads the loose top material back out and smooths it after play. Watering keeps the court firm and stable and gives players proper traction. Rolling makes it firmer and faster. Once a year, new Har-Tru goes on at a rate of about two tons per court.
A HydroCourt changes part of that routine. It waters itself from below, so there is no overhead watering to schedule, and the 10-S maintenance guide notes that subsurface-irrigated courts rarely need rolling, because the high moisture keeps them firm.
Thinking about a clay court? Call Anthony at (805) 697-2337, or send a message.