The essential equipment for a clay court

Clay tennis courts require regular maintenance. It's made up of different layers to ensure greater stability and player comfort. In this case, it's always best to use the right equipment to take good care of the tennis court. This is a multi-stage operation, requiring attention to every detail. These include the distribution of the crushed brick over the entire surface of the court and the visibility of the white line. The choice of these materials must then be based on specific criteria to guarantee their quality.

Understanding the different layers of a clay court

The clay court is made up of different components divided into several layers. At the very bottom are the foundations, to which is added the compacted soil. In some cases, owners choose stones to provide a better base. The drainage pipes are then installed before a layer of clinker, which varies in thickness from 10 to 15 cm. This material can be replaced by pozzolan. The aim is to better store the water used to irrigate the court, so that it can be released upwards. On top of the clinker, there should be a layer of limestone about 10 cm thick. This is compacted with a large roller before spreading a thin layer of crushed brick. This material gives the court its famous color, distinguishing it from that of the ball.

 

The need to moisten clay

To maintain a clay court, you need to water it regularly, either manually or automatically. This can be done with a simple garden hose or by installing an automatic sprinkler system. It should be noted, however, that water jets that are too powerful may cause the crushed brick to disappear. It's best to water in the evening, so that each layer of soil has a chance to absorb moisture. This doesn't mean you can't water the court lightly between sections, to keep the crushed brick in place. Watering prevents the court from hardening and helps the crushed brick to bind better to the chalky soil. We also recommend using calcium chloride once a week. This also helps fix the crushed brick and moisten the court. This option also has the advantage of reducing the amount of water needed for watering.

Easy-access garden hoses

For those who opt for manual watering, it's important to choose flexible hoses. These are long enough to easily reach all corners of the court. In this case, a hose reel is essential for storing the equipment.

Sometimes add crushed brick

After thoroughly watering the court, you can add a little crushed brick. This is only necessary when the brick is very fine. It is then no longer possible to spread it evenly over the entire surface of the court. Note that adding too much brick slows down drying time.

Once the crushed brick has been added, it is important to distribute it evenly. This is done with a clay drag. With a width of between 2 m and 2.50 m, this drag enables the soil to be spread evenly without forming small, compact heaps on the surface.

Refresh white lines

The white lines perfectly define the boundaries of the court and serve as a landmark for players and referees alike. Before each game and during breaks, a broom is used to remove the crushed brick. However, it is advisable to refresh these lines regularly by repainting them with white paint. This option is more aesthetically pleasing and less expensive than alternatives such as plastic lines. Make sure the weather is dry before proceeding. For straight lines, we recommend the use of wire. They also ensure that the width of the line is respected. An undercoat of baked linseed oil is necessary to ensure better adhesion of the paint to the floor.

Use tarpaulins to protect the court

Crushed bricks are made up of fine particles that blow away in the wind. Tarpaulins at least 40 cm high hold the bricks in place on the court. All that's left to do before a game of tennis is to put them back in place. Simply use a birch broom or a drag net. This investment avoids the need for a new layer of crushed brick. However, it's always a good idea to have a bin of material nearby.

Use a roller compactor from time to time

To keep the court compact for each game of tennis, we recommend using a roller once or twice a week. The purpose of this operation is to preserve the various layers beneath the crushed brick, particularly the limestone layer. It absorbs shocks while allowing the balls to bounce.