All Tennis Nets Are Not Created Equal

© Article By Mark Montemayor

February 2010

As I browsed the internet awhile back, curious about what one would find if they were looking for a tennis net, I was surprised to discover no real information on the important qualities of a good net.  As I read the various advertised claims, I wondered if most people could really understand exactly what they were buying.  Polyester headbands, vinyl headbands, twisted net bodies, knotted net bodies, double headbands, double net bodies,  rows of stitching, side bindings with or without dowels, wood dowels, fiberglass dowels, CAN YOU MAKE SENSE OF IT ALL?  If you can, don’t waste any more time on this article.  For the rest of you, read on.  The best net value is not necessarily the most expensive.

THE WEAKEST LINK:  Of all the components that comprise a tennis net, which one do you think gets more abuse, than any other part of the net?   It’s actually those tiny rows of thread that stitch the headband to the net body.  These rows of stitching are a tennis nets’ weakest link, and they are pounded every day in an area not much than an 8 foot strip in the middle of the headband.  Take a look at the picture below:

The area where the red arrow is pointing is not a tear in the netting. The stitching came apart and the netting fell out.  Notice the two places where the court owner has fastened the netting back up to the headband with some kind of twine.  If this picture doesn’t convince you of the importance of good stitching, take a look at this next picture.  This tennis net was manufactured using an inferior stitch thread.  Almost the entire headband is separating from the net body.

How do you know you are buying a net with strong, quality stitching?  In the description, the retailer should state the headband has, at least, 4 rows of polyester stitching which is treated with special UV inhibitors to prevent damage from the sun.  Without this special stitching, your tennis net will last only half as long as it should.  The sun breaks down the unprotected thread and the constant pounding by the tennis ball finishes it off.

THE TENNIS NET HEADBAND:  The next most important component of a net is the headband.  Most headbands are made of either vinyl or polyester materials.  Good quality grades of these two materials will ensure longevity.  Unfortunately, some manufacturers use inferior grades.  A poor grade of vinyl will become brittle causing it to crack and deteriorate.  Notice the net below.  The stitching is still intact, the net body doesn’t have a blemish, but the first layer of the headband is falling apart and the second layer will soon follow.  While we are on the subject, the headband should have two layers of material.  In the tennis industry it is described as a "Double Headband or Double Layer Headband"

Inferior polyester will fray and fall apart long before the rest of the net has reached the end of its useful life.  In the picture below you can see the polyester headband and the stitching have completely fallen apart.  The owner has wrapped everything but the kitchen sink around this disaster to keep the net up.

THE TENNIS NET BODY:  After the headband, the net body is next on the list of important components.  Most of the abuse the net body has to absorb is in the same area at the top of the net where the stitching and the headband are pounded.  If you are a tennis player, the logic for this is clear: most low shots that impact the net, especially the serve, hit near the top and center. 

This is precisely why I recommend a net with,  a 3.5mm single net body or, at least, a 3.0mm net body with an extra layer of net body for the top 6 or 7 rows.  Take a look at the net below. Notice the double net body at the top rows.

This extra layer of net body provides double protection where the tennis net needs it most.  If you see a net body coming apart below the top 6 to 8 inches, it has been damaged by something other than normal wear and tear.  We sell a tennis net with a double net body all the way down, but it’s a little over-kill.

OTHER NET COMPONENTS TO CONSIDER:  A good tennis net will have FIBERGLASS side-sticks (dowel) as opposed to wooden ones.  Wood side-sticks can break while tying the net to the net post, and will eventually rot.  Fiberglass side-sticks will stay straight and strong throughout the life of the net.  Also, make sure you buy a tennis net with a good heavy bottom tape (.6mm) with UV inhibiting stitching.  I have seen many older nets with bottom tape completely separated from the net body.  Once again, it’s the stitching that deteriorates first.

A SUMMARY OF QUALITY NET SPECIFICATIONS:

·         4 ROWS OF UV TREATED STITCHING HOLDING THE NET BODY TO THE HEADBAND

·         HIGH QUALITY DOUBLE HEADBAND MADE OF GOOD VINYL OR POLYESTER

·         3.5 SINGLE NET BODY OR A 3.0   WITH A DOUBLE NET BODY  LAYER FOR THE 1^ST 6 OR MORE ROWS AT THE TOP

·         FIBERGLASS SIDE-STICKS (DOWELS)

·         .6MM BOTTOM AND SIDE TAPE WITH UV INHIBITING STITCHING

THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION:  All specifications being equal, your most important consideration should be who you are buying from.  Today, most products are manufactured in foreign countries, where we have less control over what goes into them.  Whether through mistakes or deliberate omissions, the result is the same.  Occasionally, we don’t get what we pay for.  Make sure you are buying from a retailer you trust.  If you have a problem, you want to know your they will be eager to take care of you.

TennisNets.org and The Court Store, Inc. - 758 S. Broad St. - Toccoa, GA 30577 - Phone: (404) 590-0784