The surface beneath a tennis player’s feet influences every aspect of their game, from confidence in aggressive shots to how their body feels after hours of play. Choosing the right tennis court surface is one of the most important decisions facility managers face, as it directly affects performance, comfort, safety, and long-term value.
With hard courts now accounting for over 60% of installations globally, the choice between standard acrylic courts and cushioned tennis court surfaces has become increasingly relevant. Recent industry data shows cushioned courts can reduce impact forces by up to 15%, helping prevent injuries and extend player longevity.
After completing more than 1,000 successful projects across 24 states, our team has seen firsthand how surface choice affects player satisfaction and facility success. This guide combines industry expertise with insights from our production manager, Lupita Ortiz, to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Ready to explore tennis court surface options for your facility? Contact us for a free on-site assessment.
Introduction to Tennis Court Options
When planning a new tennis court or considering a resurfacing project, selecting the right surface is a crucial decision that shapes the entire playing experience. Options include grass, clay, and hard courts, but most modern installations in the U.S. are acrylic hard courts or cushioned acrylic systems.
- Grass courts: Classic but high-maintenance.
- Clay courts: Softer, common in the Southwest, but not serviced by Pro Track & Tennis.
- Hard courts (acrylic): Durable, cost-effective, consistent play.
- Cushioned hard courts: Add a layer of comfort and injury protection while maintaining performance.
📌 Expert insight:
“Here at Pro Track & Tennis, we focus on asphalt and concrete surfaces. We don’t service clay courts — those are more common in the Southwest, and we don’t operate in that region.” – Lupita Ortiz, Production Manager at Pro Track & Tennis
Understanding Acrylic Tennis Court Surfaces
Acrylic tennis courts are the most common hard court surface, built with a concrete or asphalt base and finished with multiple layers of textured acrylic paint.
Key Characteristics of Acrylic Courts:
- Firm Playing Surface: Consistent bounce and predictable play.
- Direct Impact Transmission: Forces pass directly from the base to players’ joints.
- Cost-Effective: Lower initial installation cost compared to cushioned alternatives.
- Simple Maintenance: Routine sweeping, washing, and resurfacing every 4–8 years.
📌 Expert insight:
“Acrylic is a water-based paint applied in thin coats. It creates a durable, consistent surface, but it does transfer more impact to the knees and joints.” – Lupita Ortiz, Production Manager at Pro Track & Tennis
Understanding Cushioned Tennis Court Systems
Cushioned tennis courts use the same acrylic paint system but incorporate rubber granules and elastomeric layers beneath the surface. This provides shock absorption while maintaining a true ball bounce.
At Pro Track & Tennis, we install Novacrylic® systems by Nova Sports USA, ITF-approved for tournament play and trusted nationwide.
Nova Cushioning Technology:
- Novacushion® System: Multiple layers of acrylic mixed with fine EPDM rubber for shock absorption.
- Nova Ultracushion® System: Enhanced comfort for high-use facilities and senior players.
- Combination Surface® Finish: Top coats provide vibrant color and uniform texture without reducing cushioning benefits.
📌 Expert insight:
“The cushion system is acrylic paint with added rubber granules that give it a softer feel. It’s easier on the knees, which is why pickleball courts and schools with older or younger athletes often prefer it.” – Lupita Ortiz, Production Manager at Pro Track & Tennis
Performance and Playing Characteristics
Both acrylic and cushioned surfaces deliver reliable play, but with different player experiences:
- Ball Bounce & Speed
- Acrylic: Firm, fast, consistent bounce – ideal for aggressive baseline play.
- Cushioned: Nearly identical bounce, but absorbs impact energy for improved comfort.
- Acrylic: Firm, fast, consistent bounce – ideal for aggressive baseline play.
- Cushioned: Nearly identical bounce, but absorbs impact energy for improved comfort.
- Player Comfort & Safety
- Acrylic: Higher stress on joints during extended play.
- Cushioned: Shock absorption reduces fatigue and lowers injury risk.
- Acrylic: Higher stress on joints during extended play.
- Cushioned: Shock absorption reduces fatigue and lowers injury risk.
📌 Expert insight:
“The cushion system is easier on joints, especially for older players or facilities that get a lot of use, like schools and pickleball courts.” – Lupita Ortiz, Production Manager at Pro Track & Tennis
Cost Considerations
The main difference between acrylic and cushioned courts lies in upfront investment, not upkeep.
- Acrylic Courts: Lower initial cost due to straightforward installation.
- Cushioned Courts: Higher initial cost from premium materials and multi-layer construction.
📌 Expert insight:
“Cushioned systems are more expensive mainly because of the material costs, but upkeep is the same as acrylic.” – Lupita Ortiz, Production Manager at Pro Track & Tennis
Primer & Moisture Costs
In wetter climates, stronger primers may be required to prevent moisture issues.
📌 Expert insight:
“Sometimes the biggest hidden cost isn’t the surface itself, but the primer. In wetter environments, stronger primers are required. They help reduce moisture problems, but no primer eliminates them entirely.” – Lupita Ortiz, Production Manager at Pro Track & Tennis
Typical resurfacing: Around $15,000 every 4–8 years for both systems. A complete rebuild can exceed $70,000.
Maintenance & Repair
Both acrylic and cushioned courts follow the same maintenance schedule:
- Daily: Sweep debris.
- Weekly: Power wash to prevent buildup.
- Annually: Inspect for cracks, fading, and surface wear.
- Every 4–8 years: Professional resurfacing.
Special Repairs: The Rightway Crack System
For courts with extensive cracking, Pro Track & Tennis offers the Rightway repair system for tennis courts:
- Fill cracks with repair mix.
- Seal with Rightway tape and fabric.
- Apply primer and coatings.
📌 Expert insight:
“The Rightway system helps hide cracks from view and adds more life to the surface. We warranty it for five years, though strong slab movement can still reopen cracks over time.” – Lupita Ortiz, Production Manager at Pro Track & Tennis
Seasonal and Weather Considerations
Weather plays a key role in scheduling projects:
- Surface Temperature: Minimum of 60°F required for coatings to cure.
- Timing:
- Base concrete work → summer through fall.
- Surfacing & coatings → spring through warm fall.
- Base concrete work → summer through fall.
- Surfacing & coatings → spring through warm fall.
- Regional Impact:
- Northern states = short work season (mainly summer).
- Southern states = extended installation window.
- Northern states = short work season (mainly summer).
- Southern states = extended installation window.
📌 Expert insight:
“We recommend laying the concrete in summer through fall, and surfacing from spring through warm fall, so the coatings have the warm weather they need to cure. We can’t install below 60°F or on damp surfaces.” – Lupita Ortiz, Production Manager at Pro Track & Tennis
Choosing the Right Surface for Your Facility
- Recreational & Community Facilities: Acrylic offers affordability; cushion ideal for multi-use spaces.
- Schools & Youth Programs: Cushioning reduces injury risk and improves safety for intensive use.
- Pickleball Facilities: Cushioning strongly recommended for older player demographics.
- Competitive Clubs: Cushioned systems provide premium comfort and member appeal.
📌 Expert insight:
“If the surface has too many cracks, if the asphalt is very old, or if there are moisture and leveling issues, we recommend a complete rebuild instead of resurfacing.” – Lupita Ortiz, Production Manager at Pro Track & Tennis
Common Questions (FAQs)
Does a cushioned court take longer to install than acrylic?
No. Timelines are similar; cushion simply involves additional material layers.
Do cushioned courts require special maintenance?
No. Both share the same maintenance protocols.
Which surfaces can be resurfaced?
Acrylic and cushioned systems are applied over asphalt or concrete. Clay courts are not serviced by Pro Track & Tennis.
When should I rebuild instead of resurface?
If the base is very old, has extensive cracks, or structural leveling issues, a full rebuild is recommended.
Conclusion
Both acrylic and cushioned tennis courts deliver consistent, professional play. The right choice depends on your facility’s budget, usage, and player needs:
- Choose acrylic for lower upfront cost and reliable durability.
- Choose cushion for enhanced comfort, safety, and player satisfaction.
🏆 Not sure which surface is right for your facility? Contact Pro Track & Tennis for a free assessment and customized recommendations.
