playing surfaces![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Tennis is played on various indoor and outdoor surfaces; playing strategies are adapted to the court surface.
grass ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Extremely fast playing surface that favors a serve-and-volley game; grass surfaces are increasingly rare due to high maintenance costs.
synthetic surface ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Soft elastic surface that offers excellent bounce and reduces the risk of injury.
hard surface (cement) ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Surface given to fast bounces; hard surfaces quickly wear out shoes and balls.
clay ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Slow and comfortable surface given to long rallies; clay courts require regular but low-cost maintenance.