Tennis courts serve as vital spaces for promoting physical health through engaging in the sport, whether they are located indoors or outdoors. The design of lighting for these courts is crucial, as it must cater to the specific requirements of tennis, ensuring optimal visibility for players. Each type of sports venue, from swimming pools to basketball courts, necessitates a tailored lighting approach, and tennis is no exception.
A standard tennis court covers an area of approximately 670 square meters, measuring about 120.08 feet by 60.04 feet, and is typically enclosed by a backstop or wall. The court is marked with various boundary lines that are essential for gameplay, making comprehensive lighting necessary for every section. Uniform lighting is critical in tennis, a fast-paced sport where the ball can easily become difficult to track due to glare or low contrast backgrounds. Therefore, the placement and orientation of light fixtures are vital for ensuring players can see the ball clearly at all times.
Generally, a tennis court is outfitted with eight lighting fixtures, each capable of producing around 40,000 lumens, with most fixtures operating at 300 watts to provide sufficient illumination. It is important that the lighting design complies with the standards established by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the UNE-EN regulations.
Understanding Lighting Standards: USTA and UNE-EN
The USTA, along with the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), classifies lighting requirements based on the level of competition, dividing them into four distinct classes:
- Class 1: Professional level – 125-foot candles / 1250 lux
- Class 2: College and intermediate level – 75-100-foot candles / 750-1000 lux
- Class 3: High school and private clubs – 50-75-foot candles / 500-750 lux
- Class 4: Recreational use – 30-50-foot candles / 300-500 lux
According to the UNE-EN 12193 standard, the minimum lighting levels are defined as follows:
- Class 1: For international and national competitions – 750 lux horizontal illumination with a uniformity ratio of 0.7
- Class 2: For regional competitions and high-level training – 500 lux horizontal illumination with a uniformity ratio of 0.7
- Class 3: For local competitions, training, and recreational use – 300 lux horizontal illumination with a uniformity ratio of 0.7
Key Features of Effective Tennis Court Lighting
- Anti-glare design to minimize distractions
- Specialized lampshades to reduce glare
- High uniformity to ensure consistent lighting across the court
- Non-dazzling fixtures for player comfort
- Lighting that is comfortable for both players and spectators
- Designs that prevent light pollution, preserving the surrounding environment