Five Tips for Avoiding Injuries on Synthetic Grass Tennis Courts

With any sport, injuries are always a risk, and if you are planning on installing a synthetic grass tennis court, you should think about avoiding injuries from the moment you start planning your court. There are a number of big and little things you can do. Let these tips help protect your body.

1. Don't Play When the Court Is Wet

Ideally, whether your tennis court is synthetic grass, clay or concrete, you should avoid playing while the court is wet. The moisture can cause you to slip and fall. To be on the safe side, you should always wait until the court is reasonably dry before playing.

2. Focus on Drainage

To avoid potentially dangerous water from building up on your tennis court, you should think about drainage when installing the court. Ideally, you don't want the court on the lowest spot of your lawn, as rainwater will flow there naturally. Instead, try to find a high area.

In addition to or in lieu of that, with synthetic grass courts, you should also put a layer of sand or gravel beneath the court. That helps with drainage as well.

3. Remember the Rubber

To cushion the court, also remember to talk with the installer about putting a layer of rubber underneath the court. In some cases, synthetic grass tennis courts even have bits of rubber mixed in with the fake grass. This helps cushion your foot, which can help prevent knee injuries.

4. Opt for Longer Pile

When choosing your synthetic grass tennis court, also consider the length of the pile or length of each fake grass blade. For cushioning and comfort, longer pile is usually better. Longer pile can also help prevent unintentional lateral slides that may happen on clay courts, potentially leading to strains or sprains in the groin or other areas.

5. Choose Shoes Designed for Grass

Finally, once your court is ready to play, you have to ensure you have the right safety gear, and with tennis, that equates to just wearing the right shoes. As a general rule of thumb, podiatrists say that the harder the court, the heavier your shoe should be.

The heaviness of the shoes directly correlates with the cushioning they provide. With fake grass courts, you need a medium weight shoe, and you should opt for a shoe with rubber nubs on the plantar and distal outsole — that helps grip the grass. Alternatively, look for a herringbone pattern.