June 26, 2025
Tradition Beneath Your Feet
Grass courts have a rhythm of their own. The thwack of a ball meeting grass feels different than any other surface. And so does everything that follows.
They aren’t just rare. They’re sacred. They harken back to tennis at its most traditional: Wimbledon whites, serve-and-volley play, a game rooted in precision and poise. But behind the elegance is a truth few discuss: grass is unforgiving. To play on grass court and to own one is not for the faint of heart.
Rooted in History
Tennis began on grass. Wimbledon has stayed true to that since 1877, making it the only Grand Slam still played on the surface. For decades, the U.S. Open and Australian Open did too before shifting toward easier-to-maintain options.
Today, only a few ATP tournaments are played on grass. One of them, Mallorca, welcomed us this year. We spent a few days on the island catching early matches, reconnecting with tennis friends, and visiting two stunning homes. They didn’t have grass courts, but they had plenty of charm and beauty.
Credit: Forbes | INTERNATIONAL TENNIS HALL OF FAME | The Newport Casino hosting a grass-court tournament in 1889
The Challenge of Maintaining Grass
What makes a grass court feel so special is also what makes it so demanding. Mowing, rolling, watering, reseeding. It’s a daily ritual, more golf course than backyard. In the U.S., building a natural grass court can cost between $45,000 and $110,000. Annual maintenance for a natural grass court typically ranges from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on location, usage, and playing-surface standards
Even Wimbledon, the most prestigious grass tournament in the world, has shared how nuanced lawn care can be. Their official team has offered lawn care tips that show just how much attention it takes to keep the surface tournament-ready.
That’s why you don’t see many of them. Fewer than 500 true grass courts are estimated to exist across the country. Some owners opt for synthetic grass instead, which offers lower cost and easier upkeep, but with a very different playing feel.
Credit: Wimbledon| Lawn Care Tips from Wimbledon
Wilson x Kith: A Grass Court Quest
Earlier this year, the creative team at Kith reached out to us as they prepared to launch their new collaboration with Wilson. They were looking for something rare: a home with a grass court that felt high-end, private, and visually striking.
We curated several standout options. A historic estate in Millbrook (NY) where a court could be rebuilt on its original footprint. A rental property in Water Mill (NY) with an original grass court. A private off-market home in Rumson (NJ), owned by a passionate tennis fan. And an estate in Greenwich (CT) with the potential to make it happen.
Each option had a story, but also logistical challenges. Rebuilding or reviving a grass court takes time and budget. In the end, the team took a different route and launched a beautiful campaign that still captured the spirit they were after. You can see it here.
The experience reminded us how rare and precious grass court tennis homes really are. They are living testaments to the heritage and magic of the sport.
Credit: The Hitchcock Estate – Heather Croner – William Pitt SIR (image 1) | Alec Twn (image 2) | Damaso de Lara (image 3)
A canvas for creativity
When the Surface Tells a Story
Grass courts ask for more. More care, more commitment, more vision. But for those who embrace the challenge, they give something back that’s hard to define and impossible to forget.
Curious to see what’s out there?
Explore some of our favorite grass tennis homes and synthetic grass court homes currently available on Tennis Homes.
Until the next match,
Tennis Homes Team
