text: what is the measurement of the tennis yard?   laying lines: the outside dimensions of the playing lines should be as follows: doubles 36' x 78' (10.97m x 23.77m) singles 27' x 78' (8.23m x 23.77m) all lines should be not less than 1" (2.54 cm) nor more than 2" (5 cm) in width, except the base line which  may be up to 4" (10 cm) in width and the center line which should be 2" (5 cm) in width. clearance between courts where courts are constructed within the confines of a common enclosure, the distance between side lines should be not less than 12' (3.658m). where space permits, it is desirable to provide additional space between side lines to enhance play; 24' (7.315m) is recommended. tennis court orientation: a tennis court should be laid out to minimize players looking into the sun when serving or when following  the flight of a ball. a tennis court also should be laid out to avoid distracting shadow lines and patterns on the court surface.  theoretically, the best possible layout would be to orient the longitudinal axis of the court perpendicular to the azimuth of the sun -- the angular measurement of the horizontal location of the sun in relation to true north. since the azimuth of the sun constantly shifts according to the time of day, the season of the year and the latitude in which it is observed, it is difficult to generalize about an ideal orientation. note: it is important to remember that the orientation of the court should be in relation to true  north, not to magnetic north. the angular difference between true north and magnetic north is  referred to as the "deviation of magnetic north." this deviation changes according to the  geographic location. information relating to the deviation of magnetic north from true north can be easily obtained from a local surveyor or airport facility.