On a tennis court, how far is the service line from the net?

Tennis is played on a rectangular flat surface, usually of grass, clay or hard material. The dimensions of a tennis court are defined and regulated by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) governing body and are written down in the annual 'Rules of Tennis' document. The court is 78 feet (23.77 metres) long. Its width is 27 feet (8.23 metres) for singles matches and 36 feet (10.97 metres) for doubles matches. The service line is 21 feet (6.40 metres) from the net. Additional clear space around the court is needed in order for players to reach overrun balls for a total of 60 feet (18 metres) wide and 120 feet (37 metres) long.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

19 Comments

john duckett

Or for most of the world, 6.40 metres.

JRW

aaustin, so do both of mine!

Howard Groopman

I've been watching tennis for decades, and never gave a thought to the distances between the various lines.

Jerry Edwards

Double chanced the only answer that was in yardage, as the creation of the pastime was well within Imperial measurement times. Excellent question with solid choices PS. Whilst watching Wimbledon on TV. It looks like the arena is massive. Quite the contrary I'm real life, I imagine. (I've never been there😁)

Player

The options were too close to call. Even for the majority.

Louella Wilson

Conrado De Leon, and your source is???

Louella Wilson

Alan Straff, the question I read makes no mention of feet or metres!

Conrado De Leon

I beg to differ. The official distance is 19 1/2 feet, one fourth of the total length of the court which is 78 feet.

aaustin

Feet work perfectly well for me!

Mark L Thomas

Doh picked 20

Annie

Guessed. Was a good guess🤪

Christopher J Voce

I think imperial measurement is more than acceptable seeing as how it’s an English invention. There’s a lot of Hoopleheads carrying on like the proverbial pork chop in the comments section. Would you measure the Indianapolis 500 in metric ? Thought not !