The Jim Stewart Tennis Academy has recently unveiled an innovative new court – the first of its kind in Portugal and Spain.
The striking red court is, in fact, a synthetic clay surface called Euroclay, which closely replicates the playing characteristics of real clay but without costly maintenance or watering.
The new facility is a show-piece for a venture formed earlier this year – Centre Courts, a partnership between Jim Stewart and coaches Sören Höjbjerg and Zé Lopes, with exclusive sales rights for Euroclay in Iberia and Holland.
Laid over an existing court or foundation, Euroclay comprises a multi-directional matting with a silicate in-fill, densely applied to replicate clay. Yet its rapid-drainage allows play to continue during light rain, or to resume immediately after a downpour.
Another major advantage is minimal maintenance: unlike natural clay, the synthetic version requires no watering – a significant factor where water resources are an issue.
Successfully tested in accordance with ITF and LTA methods, Euroclay is an approved competition surface, unlike synthetic grass or carpet surfaces found at many tennis centres or private homes.
Sören Höjbjerg said: “We are very excited at the market potential of this surface, especially in Iberia where natural clay has long been popular but is costly to maintain. Now Euroclay offers a low-maintenance, year-round solution. We welcome anyone interested to come and try it for themselves.”
