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The process of how to close a clay tennis court for the winter is more than just tidying up; it is a strategic preservation of your facility’s foundation. Neglecting these steps can lead to cracked pipes, matted broom fibers, and eroded court surfaces that are expensive and time-consuming to repair in the spring.

1. Irrigation System Winterization

The most vital step in how to close a clay tennis court is protecting your plumbing. Whether your court is surface irrigated or sub-irrigated (Hydrocourt/Hydrogrid), water expansion during a freeze can cause catastrophic pipe failure.

• Surface Irrigated: You must shut down the pressure and “blow out” all lines with compressed air. Remove sprinkler heads and store them indoors.
• Sub-Irrigated: Drain all “cells” and blow out the main supply line. Remove float mechanisms and drain plugs. Pro-Tip: Use a permanent yellow or white marker to mark water levels on the boxes before draining so you have an exact reference for spring refilling.

2. Net and Post Maintenance

Do not leave nets exposed to winter moisture. Remove the net, roll it carefully, and store it in a dry, indoor environment. While removing it, perform a technical inspection: check the headband for fraying and ensure the center strap is in good repair. If you have ground sleeves, remove the net posts as well. Securely cap or duct tape the sleeve openings to prevent water from entering, freezing, and cracking the court surface around the post.

3. Line Tape Strategy

A key debate in how to close a clay tennis court is whether to pull up line tapes. In extreme climates with heavy freeze/thaw cycles, many facilities pull and dispose of tapes annually. However, in milder regions, you can save significant time and money by leaving them down. To succeed, place boards on top of the tapes to keep them flush with the surface or hand-roll them once the court has frozen to prevent lifting.

4. Equipment and Accessory Storage

Inventory all equipment and label it by court number. Drain the gas from your court roller, change the oil, and lubricate all moving parts. Important: Always hang brooms and brushes; leaving them resting on their fibers all winter will result in matted, unusable tools by April. Finally, remove and map your windscreens to prevent the “sail effect” from damaging your fence during winter gales.

5. The Benefits of Court Covers

Applying a professional court cover is the final step in how to close a clay tennis court. Covers serve three primary technical functions:

1. Reducing moisture penetration to minimize freeze/thaw cycles.
2. Protecting against surface erosion in high-wind areas.
3. Retaining heat in the spring, allowing for an earlier opening.