Court Surface Maintenance

The court surface can be dangerous if it is either too wet or too dry. To ensure the court surface is suitable for play, please follow the guidelines below:

General Court Maintenance Throughout the Year:

• Watering: Courts MUST be watered before and after play (and if necessary, during play) from net to fence and bagged after every set, as well as at the end of play.
• Bagging: After each set, and at the end of play, bag the courts from net to fence, including behind the baselines. This helps to remove foot marks/ball marks, distribute clay and allow the court to settle correctly.
  Leaf mats are designed to remove leaves and debris from the court.
  When done, please hang the mats back on their hooks—this not only preserves the equipment but also reduces tripping hazards around the court area.
• It is essential that the court surface remains damp during play. When watering the courts, ensure there is good water pressure and direct the hose high into the air for even coverage. Be careful not to over-water, as this can create puddles and make play impossible.
• In dry or windy conditions, lightly sprinkle the court before bagging to reduce dust raised during bagging.

Watering the Courts
Watering is a skill that takes a bit of practice to get right. If you’re unsure, ask someone for help or watch how others do it. You can also check out our YouTube page for instructional guides on watering, sweeping, and mopping.

Click here: Ashburton Tennis Club Youtube Channel

Main tip: Keep the hose pointed slightly upward—not directly at the court—to prevent puddles from forming.

Wet or Drizzly Conditions:

• En-tout-cas courts are easily damaged when played on in wet conditions. If Courts 1 or 2 show pools of water, do not play on any of the courts - even if Court 3 looks dry. Its drainage is better, but deceptive.
• If the court becomes flooded or shiny/wet all over, allow the water to subside naturally. This process may take an hour or more.
• Once the water has reduced to small puddles, water-soaker rollers can be used to remove excess water. After removing the puddles, allow the court surface to dry naturally before play resumes. If, when rubbing your foot lightly along the court, the surface still feels wet or slippery underneath, allow more time to dry.
• Don't forget to also drain the rollers after use, away from the court.
• Please note that improper roller use can cause extensive damage to the courts so please only use rollers appropriately. If in doubt, don't use and don't play.

Frosty Conditions:

• If frost is present on all or part of the court, no play is allowed. Frost forms both on top of and beneath the surface, and playing on it can damage the court.
• Wait until the frost melts and the court dries out before resuming play.

Note: Playing on a wet court is dangerous to players and damaging to the court surface. Please wait until conditions are suitable for play.

Correct Footwear:

• Only approved flat-soled tennis shoes (including herringbone or feathered soles) are permitted on the courts.
• Shoes with ripple soles, cross trainers, jogging shoes, running shoes, cricket shoes, or shoes with raised heels or studs that can cause damage to the court are strictly prohibited.

Monitoring and Compliance:

If you notice someone not adhering to the court care rules or wearing improper footwear, kindly remind them of the correct procedures. Protecting the courts is everyone’s responsibility, and by following these guidelines, we ensure they remain in good condition for all members to enjoy. 

Please note that any remediation costs arising from a member’s failure to follow court care procedures — or from visitors associated with that member — that result in damage to the courts will be charged to the member.

Thank you for helping us maintain the quality and safety of our courts!