Why does slip testing matter for a tennis court?
Tennis involves rapid direction changes, lateral slides, and frequent contact between shoe and surface. A court that's too slippery causes falls; one that's too grippy causes ankle and knee injuries. Testing is how you know which side of that line your courts sit on — and critically, how you evidence that you know.
How often should a tennis court be slip tested?
For most UK tennis courts, annual testing is considered good practice. Clubs with older surfaces, heavy usage, or contamination issues (moss, algae, leaf fall) often benefit from testing every six months. Resurfaced or newly installed courts should be tested on handover.
What is a Pendulum Test Value (PTV)?
The PTV is a numerical measurement of slip resistance produced by a pendulum tester. It replaces older units like the "slip resistance value" (SRV) or coefficient of friction readings. The HSE classifies PTV 36+ as low slip potential, 25–35 as moderate, and 0–24 as high slip potential.
What is a safe PTV for a tennis court?
For outdoor tennis courts tested in wet conditions, a PTV in the high 30s or above typically indicates acceptable grip. Different surface types (acrylic, macadam, synthetic turf) have slightly different performance envelopes, and our reports put the reading in that context rather than pass/fail in isolation.
What is ITF court pace classification?
The International Tennis Federation classifies surfaces on a 1 (Slow) to 5 (Fast) scale based on the Court Pace Index — a function of ball-to-surface friction and rebound height. Clay courts typically sit at Category 1–2, hard courts at Category 3–4, and fast carpet/grass at 4–5.
Do you test artificial clay courts?
Yes. Artificial clay — typically a sand-dressed synthetic turf topped with rubber or ceramic infill — has particular quirks around rotational friction and infill redistribution. We use both pendulum testing and rotational friction testing (EN 15301-1) on these surfaces.
Do you test indoor tennis courts?
Absolutely. Indoor acrylic, carpet, and cushioned synthetic courts all fall within our scope. Indoor facilities also often benefit from combined testing — slip resistance plus shock absorption plus lighting uniformity — in a single visit.
How long does a site visit take?
A standard single-court slip test takes approximately 60–90 minutes. A full multi-test visit (slip, pace, rebound, planarity) on a single court is around 2–3 hours. Multi-court clubs can usually be completed within a single working day.
What's in the report?
A UKAS-accredited PDF covering: site details, test methodology, calibration records, test point locations with photographs, PTV and other measurements, comparison against relevant standards, plain-English interpretation, and actionable recommendations where defects are found.
Can you help after a slip-and-fall claim?
Yes — this is a significant part of our work. Forensic post-incident testing, contamination sampling, and expert witness reports for solicitors on either side of a claim. Because our methodology is UKAS-accredited, the findings have full evidential weight in civil proceedings.
How much does tennis court slip testing cost?
Costs vary depending on court count, location, and scope. As a rough guide: a single-court slip test at a UK club typically sits in the low hundreds of pounds; a multi-test full audit of a four-court facility is usually in the mid-hundreds to low thousands. Send us your details for an exact quote.
Are you different from other slip testing firms?
Yes, in two respects. First, we're UKAS ISO 17025 accredited — a distinction very few slip testing providers in the UK hold. Second, we specialise in sports surfaces, so we test not just for slip but for pace, rebound, rotational friction, planarity and drainage — the full picture of how a tennis court performs.
Do you work outside the UK?
We regularly test in the Republic of Ireland, and have conducted work further afield for international hotel groups and governing bodies. For international enquiries, please get in touch directly to discuss scope and logistics.