Roller Skating is not just a recreational activity, but also a form of popular sports. Unfortunately, not every city or town has roller rinks or skate parks for roller skating enthusiasts. But you may have a tennis court near you that is tempting to skate on and wonder, “Do roller skates ruin tennis courts?”
Roller skating on tennis courts does not cause any serious harm that may hamper playing tennis on the court. But it can be abrasive to the special coating or the paint of the tennis court.
In this article, I am going to discuss if roller skating can damage tennis courts and what you should know while using a tennis court for roller skating. Hopefully, you will understand how roller skating actually affects tennis courts
Can You Skate on Tennis Courts?
If you do not have any roller rink or skate parks in your area, then you can opt to find out if there are any tennis courts nearby. The smooth and leveled surface of the tennis courts is perfect for roller skating. Tennis courts are a safe place for roller skating, as there will be no distractions like cars or people. However, you may not get permission to skate on every tennis court.
Roller rinks and skate parks are professionally made for roller skating. These places are always filled with roller skaters. The enormous space and designs of these places make it possible to arrange various roller skating sports and completions.
The surface of roller rinks and skate parks are made of wood or concrete, which makes it easier for the skaters to maintain balance and skate smoothly. If you want to roller skate with no problems, the surface skating area has to be clean and smooth. Any debris, pebbles, or things like even a cigarette can cause tripping.
So, when you do not have any roller rinks and skate parks to practice skating in your area, you have to find a suitable place. If it is just for simple practice or entertainment, you can choose a parking lot, school tracks, or empty roads.
But, what about serious practices and completions? These places are often full of debris and rubbish, like coke caps and cigarettes, so they are unsuitable for serious roller skaters.
Fortunately, you may find tennis courts that allow skaters to practice in their courts. In fact, there are many tennis courts shared between tennis players and roller skaters in many cities and towns.
The tennis courts are not as big as the roller rinks and parks, but they are big enough to pick up speed and practice different styles of skating. The surfaces of the tennis courts are often made of hard concrete, which is quite similar to the roller rinks.
Moreover, the tennis courts are always cleaned after every match. So, there is no chance of debris or junks getting under your roller skates.
Does Roller Skate Damage Tennis Courts?
Although many tennis courts allow different sports to be held on their grounds, many other tennis courts strictly prohibit other sports like roller skating to be held on the courts. Many people think that roller skating ruins tennis courts one way or another.
There are quite a few reasons tennis courts do not allow roller skating in their courts. Though the wheels of roller skates are not so damaging that it will seriously ruin a tennis court, it is still concerning for court management. However, the damage also depends on the type of tennis courts.
There are four types of tennis courts based on the materials used for creating the surface, which are clay court, grass court, hard court, and carpet court. As you can see, not all of these types are suitable for roller skating.
A tennis court with a hard surface is the best choice for roller skating. The surface is hard, so there is no chance that skate wheels can cause any damage. Skating on tennis courts does not hamper playing tennis. The tennis players will not feel any difference playing on the court after being used by the skaters.
So, why do many tennis courts strictly prohibit roller skaters from using the courts? Well, the matter is that the skating wheels may not damage the courts, but it will eventually wear off the paints or protective coatings. This damage can happen if the skaters use toe blocks for stopping. The wheels can even live marks on the court.
There are many white lines painted on the tennis courts. So, it can be a problem if the paints are damaged before a tennis match. Again, tennis courts need to be painted, and painting the courts is costly. It can also put a hold on games as the paints have to be dried properly.
Furthermore, many tennis court management complained that the courts that allow roller skating cracks a lot faster than the courts which do not allow skating. It is said that practicing the same style of skating on an area of the court can damage that area.
Therefore, some tennis courts, especially the clay courts, do not allow roller skaters. The clay courts might be cheap while constructing, but it costs a lot to maintain the courts. Since clay courts are not as hard as hard courts, they can get damaged easily.
Besides these damaging issues about the wheels of roller skates, there is another reason why tennis court managements are skeptical about allowing roller skaters on the courts. The kids and teenagers can vandalize the court and play with the tennis court net.
So, most of the time, it is not the roller skating but the behavior of the roller skaters that get them banned from playing on the tennis courts.
What You Should Consider Before Skating on A Tennis Court
There are a few things you should keep in mind while using a local tennis court as a place for roller skating practice. You will use a tennis court as a necessary replacement of a roller rink, so you cannot use it for skating the same way you would use a roller rink.
Seek Permission: Find out if your local tennis court is open for practicing roller skate. Ask around or look for a sign outside the court. If you see there is no sign, then you can practice skating on the court until anyone from the tennis court management authority tells you otherwise. And if you see a clear sign saying “No Roller Skating”, then do not use the court.
Use Proper Skates: If you have permission to use the court, find out which type of surface it has. Is it a clay court or a hard court? It is important to find out because you have to use proper roller skates according to the surface materials. Use soft wheels on clay courts and harder ones on hard courts. Be careful about the coated surface of the courts.
Follow the Rules: The rules of the court. Since it is a tennis court, you should understand that tennis players have more rights to use the grounds. When any tennis practices are going on, do not disturb or cause any trouble. Also, leave the court when you are asked to leave. While using the court, do not damage any properties belonging to the court.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have got your answer to “Do roller skates ruin tennis courts?” Tennis courts are no doubt one of the best replacements for roller rinks. Roller skates can damage the surface painting of a tennis court, but it does not ruin the tennis courts. People can still play tennis on the court as usual.
Dangers of Rollerblading: A Guide to Staying Safe
Is it easy to rollerblade? An introduction for beginners
Buying Guide For Roller Skate Protection