Before the widespread use of the three familiar tennis surfaces—hard, clay, and grass courts—there was another surface that no longer exists in professional tennis: the carpet court. Although it no longer appears in today’s tennis tournaments, the carpet court was once a crucial part of major events, where tennis stars competed in memorable matches.
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The Birth of the Carpet Court and Legendary Tournaments
Prior to 2018, the carpet court was a major feature in the professional tennis calendar. It was on carpet that prestigious tournaments like the Tennis Masters Cup and ATP and WTA finals took place throughout the late 20th century. The surface, described as “woven material or polymers supplied in rolls or finished sheets,” was one of the fastest courts in tennis history.
The carpet surface was widely used in tennis tournaments in the 1970s and 1980s, when players battled it out on this surface in iconic matches. However, the major change came in 2008 when the ATP decided to discontinue the use of carpet courts in their tournaments. The reason for this change was the desire to standardize indoor tournaments to hard courts, which were seen as less injury-prone.
Pauline Parmentier and the Last Win on Carpet
Although carpet courts were removed from most major events long ago, in 2018, the WTA International event in Canada (now WTA 250) hosted the final tournament ever played on this surface. The final of the 2018 Coupe Banque Nationale was the last match ever held on a carpet court, and French player Pauline Parmentier made history by defeating Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2.
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This victory marked Parmentier’s first on the carpet, despite her career being successful on both clay and hard courts. This win was a significant milestone, as it closed out an era of carpet courts in women’s tennis.
Although Parmentier didn’t win many major titles, her career has been noteworthy for its persistence. One of the highlights of her career came in 2019 when she was a part of the French team that won the Fed Cup, defeating Australia in the final.
The End of Carpet Courts and the Rise of Hard Courts
Though carpet courts are no longer used in major ATP and WTA events, they remain part of tennis history. After the discontinuation of the carpet surface, hard courts became the primary indoor surface for tennis tournaments, and many events transitioned to hard courts in an effort to standardize the sport and reduce injuries. This shift altered the way players competed, as hard courts are faster and less injury-prone than carpet.
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However, the end of the carpet court does not mean there aren’t still innovations in the surfaces used in tennis. While carpet courts are no longer featured in ATP or WTA events, players still compete on other surfaces, such as grass, clay, and hard courts, each with its own unique characteristics that offer different experiences for both players and fans.
Wooden Courts: A Forgotten Surface
In addition to carpet courts, another tennis surface once used in the past was the wooden court. Although wooden courts were used until the early 1970s, they were an integral part of tennis history. Major tournaments such as the Scandinavian Indoor Championships and the British Covered Court Championships were held on wooden courts.
Australian legend Rod Laver enjoyed great success on wooden courts, winning 18 titles on this surface, including significant victories at major tournaments. However, much like carpet courts, wooden courts were eventually replaced by hard courts as modern tennis evolved.
Reflecting on the Changes and Looking to the Future
With the discontinuation of carpet courts, modern tennis has focused on the three main surfaces: hard courts, clay courts, and grass courts. While carpet and wooden courts are no longer used, their legacy in tennis history remains significant.
Looking ahead, the 2025 tennis season will continue to see the growth of tournaments on grass, clay, and hard courts. Fans can look forward to exciting matches, as innovation and competition continue to drive the sport forward.
The end of the carpet court may mark the closure of one chapter in tennis history, but it also opens a new one, where players continue to compete on their favorite surfaces, creating memorable moments for the sport.
