Wimbledon’s grass courts change how the ball moves, but the court lines and scoring follow the standard rules of tennis. A ball that touches a boundary line is in, while the singles and doubles sidelines decide how wide the playable area is.
The surface, weather and retractable roofs add a few Wimbledon-specific details. Here’s how the court rules work, what players can expect on grass, and what spectators should know when play is interrupted.
How a Wimbledon Court Is Marked
Wimbledon courts use the standard tennis dimensions. The court is 78 feet long, or 23.77 metres. It is 27 feet (8.23 metres) wide for singles and 36 feet (10.97 metres) wide for doubles.
| Court feature | What it means |
|---|---|
| Singles sidelines | The inner side lines mark the width of a singles court. |
| Doubles alleys | The extra strips between the singles and doubles sidelines count in doubles, but not in singles. |
| Baseline | The line at each end of the court. A serve must be struck from behind it. |
| Service line and centre service line | These divide each side’s service area into two boxes. A legal serve must land in the diagonally opposite box. |
Every line counts as part of the area it marks. If any part of the ball touches a line, the ball is in. For example, a serve that clips the outside edge of a service-box line is good if it lands in the correct box. In singles, a ball landing in the doubles alley is out; in doubles, that same ball is in.
The net is three feet (0.914 metres) high at the centre and three feet six inches (1.07 metres) at the posts. If a serve touches the net but still lands in the correct service box, it is a let and the server plays it again.
What Makes Wimbledon’s Grass Courts Different?
Wimbledon’s courts are made from 100% perennial ryegrass. Grass courts tend to produce a lower, quicker and less predictable bounce than clay. The exact bounce varies with the condition of the court, the weather and how much the playing area has been used.
That affects tactics. A serve can skid through before the returner has time to set up, so strong servers often look to take control early. Players may also move forward more often to finish a point at the net. But a low ball can trouble even a top player: getting down to a short, skidding return takes fast footwork and a strong balance position.
Grass wears during the tournament. The baseline and the areas where players serve and take off for shots can become more worn than the rest of the court. This is one reason the bounce can feel less even late in a match than it did during the first few games. The wear does not create a different set of line rules: the marked lines still decide whether a ball is in or out.
Line Calls and Court Boundaries
Wimbledon introduced electronic line calling on its courts in 2025, replacing line judges for line calls. The system makes calls on whether a ball is in or out. Players still need to play to the call and follow the chair umpire’s directions; the umpire remains responsible for managing the match and its other rules.
For players, the practical point is simple: do not stop playing because a shot looks close. Continue until you hear a call or the umpire stops the point. For spectators, a ball that appears to touch the line is in under tennis rules, even if the contact is difficult to see from the stands.
Rain, Roofs and Suspended Play
Wimbledon has retractable roofs on Centre Court and No. 1 Court. If weather interrupts play, the referee can decide whether to close a roof. Play may be paused while the roof is moved and the court is prepared for indoor conditions. The roof does not change the scoring or the boundaries of the court.
Other courts do not have retractable roofs. If rain makes them unsafe or unplayable, officials suspend play until conditions allow it to resume. A damp grass court can be slippery, so players are not expected to continue simply because the rain has stopped; the surface needs to be judged fit for play.
When play resumes, players continue from the score and position at which the match was stopped, subject to the tournament’s scheduling and match procedures. A weather break does not give either player a fresh start or erase the points already played.
Player Conduct and Wimbledon’s Dress Rule
Players are expected to follow tennis’s usual conduct rules on court: respect the chair umpire’s decisions, avoid delaying play and do not abuse officials or damage equipment. Grass calls for extra care, too. Players should avoid running or sliding in a way that puts themselves or others at risk on a slippery surface.
Wimbledon also has a strict mostly-white clothing rule for competitors. It is a tournament dress requirement, not a rule about where the ball can land or how a point is scored. Spectators do not have to wear white, and the dress rule does not change the standard court dimensions or tennis rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a ball on the line in at Wimbledon?
Yes. A ball is in if any part of it touches a boundary line. A singles shot on a doubles alley is out, however, because that strip is outside the singles court.
Are Wimbledon courts faster than other tennis courts?
Grass often produces a quicker, lower bounce than clay, though the speed and bounce can vary with weather and court wear. That tends to reward strong serving, quick reactions and confident movement forward.
Can matches continue in the rain?
Officials can suspend play if rain makes a court unsafe or unplayable. Centre Court and No. 1 Court have retractable roofs; other courts do not. Play resumes when officials consider the conditions suitable.
Do Wimbledon’s court rules differ from standard tennis rules?
The basic court dimensions, lines and scoring follow standard tennis rules. Wimbledon-specific features include its grass surface, retractable roofs on two courts, electronic line calling and strict white clothing requirements for players.
Final Thoughts
For the player or spectator, the key Wimbledon court rules are straightforward: lines count as in, singles and doubles use different sidelines, and grass can make the bounce low and quick. Weather may pause play, but it does not change the score or the boundaries. Knowing those basics makes it easier to follow the tactics—and the close calls—on Centre Court and beyond.
