A tennis court is larger than a badminton court. For singles play, a tennis court measures 78 feet long by 27 feet wide, expanding to 36 feet in width for doubles. In contrast, a badminton court is 44 feet long, with a width of 20 feet for doubles and 17 feet for singles.
Have you thought about how the expanse of a tennis court measures up against a badminton court?
This comparison sheds light on the vast tennis courts in contrast to the more compact badminton courts.
Find out how their respective sizes enhance the gameplay and challenge the agility and precision of athletes.
Table of Contents
How Big is a Tennis Court?
A tennis court is specifically designed to meet the rigorous standards of the sport. For singles matches, a tennis court measures 78 feet in length (23.77 meters) and 27 feet in width (8.23 meters). It expands to a width of 36 feet (10.97 meters) for doubles matches, accommodating the game’s versatility.
These dimensions are universally accepted and applied to ensure fair and standardized gameplay across all levels of tennis competition, from amateur leagues to professional Grand Slams.
Tennis Court Parts
- Baseline: The line that runs parallel to the net and defines the far end of the court; it is the starting point for play and serves.
- Service Boxes: The four areas crafted by the center service line and service lines, where a legal serve must land to begin a point.
- Doubles Alley: The area between the singles and doubles sidelines, which is considered in bounds only for doubles play.
- Net: The mesh barrier that divides the court into two halves; its height is lowest in the center at 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 meters).
- Center Mark: A small indicator at the baseline’s midpoint, guiding players where to stand for serving.
How Big is a Badminton Court?
A badminton court is designed with precision to cater to the fast-paced nature of the game. For doubles matches, it measures 44 feet in length (13.4 meters) and 20 feet in width (6.1 meters). The court narrows to 17 feet (5.18 meters) in width for singles matches, creating a more challenging and strategic space for individual play.
These dimensions are standardized by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), ensuring a uniform playing environment globally. The regulation size enhances the game’s competitiveness, making it essential for players to utilize speed, precision, and strategy.
Badminton Court Parts
- Short Service Line: This line is 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters) from the net and marks the closest point where serves must land to be deemed valid in singles play.
- Long Service Line for Singles: Positioned at the very back of the court for singles matches, 44 feet (13.4 meters) from the net, it defines the boundary beyond which the shuttlecock must not fall.
- Long Service Line for Doubles: Slightly closer to the net than the singles line, at 2 feet 6 inches (0.76 meters) from the back boundary, marking the limit for doubles play.
- Doubles Sideline: The outermost boundary lines for doubles play, defining the maximum width of the court.
- Singles Sideline: These lines are closer to the center than the doubles sidelines, setting the narrower bounds for singles play.
- Net: Serves as the central barrier on the court. It stands 5 feet (1.524 meters) tall at the posts and 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 meters) in the center, challenging players to execute precise shots over it.
- Center Line: Divides the court into two equal halves longitudinally, extending from the short service line to the back boundary line, and helps in aligning serves and returns.
Which is bigger, a Tennis Court or a Badminton Court?
A Tennis Court is significantly larger than a Badminton Court. A tennis court stretches to 78 feet in length and 27 feet in width for singles matches, expanding to 36 feet in width for doubles. In contrast, a badminton court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide for doubles matches, reducing to 17 feet in width for singles.
The tennis court not only has a larger playing area but also features additional spaces like the doubles alleys, further extending its dimensions. This size difference reflects the nature of each sport: tennis requires a larger field of play for its long-range, high-speed exchanges, whereas badminton’s compact area emphasizes speed, agility, and precision within a smaller space.
The contrasting sizes cater to the unique strategies and skills each sport demands, creating distinctive experiences for both players and spectators.
FAQ
What are the dimensions of a tennis court?
A tennis court is 78 feet (23.77 meters) long and 27 feet (8.23 meters) wide for singles, expanding to 36 feet (10.97 meters) for doubles play. Key elements include the baseline, service boxes, and the net. For a comprehensive breakdown, see our tennis court dimensions article.
What are the dimensions of a badminton court?
A badminton court measures 44 feet (13.4 meters) in length and 20 feet (6.1 meters) in width for doubles, with a reduced width of 17 feet (5.18 meters) for singles. The court includes lines for service and boundaries for both singles and doubles. Further details can be found in our badminton court dimensions article.
