Dream Spaces: Tennis Courts Worthy of a Grand Slam
Fancy yourself a backyard game of tennis? Here's a satisfying serve of the most ace courts on Houzz
The Australian Open is just days away and that can only mean one thing – water cooler conversation is about to get serious: will Stan Wawrinka defend his title, or will Rafael Nadal give him a good run for his money? Petra Kvitova … Ana Ivanovic … will either come good on the grand stage? Nick Kyrgios, you know all eyes are on you! All of our burning questions will begin to unravel come January 19, but until then, backyard tennis, anyone? All you need is a ball and some racquets for hours of play, otherwise you could dig a little deeper and go the whole shebang. These beauties make quite the racquet (enough, already?), and will surely inspire some backyard action…
See? This New York backyard is easy on the eye, but not just because it boasts a tennis court and swimming pool – it has seriously great symmetry, too. Perfectly balanced on both sides, it creates a calming effect, despite its grandiose proportions.
While still considered a ‘status symbol’, to an extent, tennis courts are nonetheless sought-after in regular, run-of-the-mill neighbourhoods, so long as space is permitting. You see, a tennis court might be pricey to install, but in the long run, offers year-round use (as opposed to a swimming pool) and, if opting for the synthetic variety, easy maintenance, which is appealing to a range of homeowners.
While still considered a ‘status symbol’, to an extent, tennis courts are nonetheless sought-after in regular, run-of-the-mill neighbourhoods, so long as space is permitting. You see, a tennis court might be pricey to install, but in the long run, offers year-round use (as opposed to a swimming pool) and, if opting for the synthetic variety, easy maintenance, which is appealing to a range of homeowners.
The best courtside seats in this Melbourne home are inside on the custom designed staircase by Jasmine McClelland Design. Wide floor-to-ceiling windows open up the space and provide a bird’s eye view of all the action.
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See more of this house
This LA home has characterfully installed a tennis court to the rear of the backyard. A lattice privacy screen and large planter boxes completely transform the look from sporty to smashing, don’t you think?
Is that court a violation or a vertical gem? I’m leaning towards the latter with the option to play solo.
How about a tennis court for a view? This one maximises the functionality of sloping terrain, which can be problematic for various reasons, one being accessibility. It’s one way to make use of an otherwise unused area, as having a sunken tennis court will give you good reason to take the jaunt downhill (and back up again) more often.
Just throw in a terraced path with colourful flora and fauna, for a grand entry into the arena.
Stuck for space but can’t choose between a home gym or tennis court? You could build one on top of the other. Now that’s a double whammy.
If you think of your sport as an escape, this old English-style tennis court might appeal to the senses. Lush, ivy-covered stairs and walls separate and conceal the court from the main garden, so you really can get away from it all.
Is this where tennis meets its match? I don’t think I’d find it easy taking to court when these elegant jet pools beckon from the sideline. Sinking chin deep beneath the bubbles, I would happily sit this one out.
This country home could be mistaken for a sporting complex – one where you can resort to the putting green when the ball is no longer in your court.
Looks can be deuce-ceiving – this Dallas home makes me feel like I’d need a platinum pass for entry. A swanky seating area, complete with matching tennis-ball green and track red cushions, opens up to an indoor multi-court with high ceilings and padded walls.
A tennis pavilion, in your own backyard? You cannot be serious. You could prepare lunch while the competitive work up an appetite – you certainly won’t miss any of the action.
This modern outdoor patio perfectly transitions into a tennis court with an unimposing louvre pergola and low-profile barbecue area. Such is a place you could while away a summer afternoon in alfresco comfort. Just add a ball boy who fetches beverages on the side.
Do you have an idle garage just begging to be used again? You could convert it into a home gym, like Studio Bergtraun AIA have done. While a lot of home gyms can feel stuffy and uninviting, this one opens up to a tennis court and boasts multi-level workout zones, so you can choose whether you stretch like a yogi under the morning sun, or stay indoors with some weight training … and the tennis highlights on your wall-mounted TV, of course. To play tennis or to watch tennis, that is the real question.
TELL US
How are you getting into the Australian Open spirit? We’d love to hear your stories in the Comments.
MORE DREAM SPACES
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Dream Spaces: Perfect Football Set-Ups
TELL US
How are you getting into the Australian Open spirit? We’d love to hear your stories in the Comments.
MORE DREAM SPACES
Dream Spaces: Sink Into a Yoga Room
Dream Spaces: 14 Fabulous Indoor-Outdoor Bathrooms
Dream Spaces: Perfect Football Set-Ups
As you’ll quickly come to notice, they also come part and parcel with top level homes, instantly adding value to your once very ‘average’ backyard.