Since its debut in 2017, the Laver Cup has stood out in the tennis world for its use of a proprietary black court surface, an innovation that required extensive testing and development before becoming a signature feature of the event.
Steve Zacks, CEO of the Laver Cup, explained the original vision behind introducing a black court: “The big question initially was will it work? The black court was a core element of the brand positioning we had developed. We knew it would be distinct and premium, and thus immediately recognizable as the Laver Cup.”
The journey to realize this vision began with a partnership between Laver Cup organizers and Tennis Australia. In 2016 and 2017, they conducted several tests in Australia using half-court surfaces painted black to assess both playability and how well the color appeared on broadcast cameras. Michael Hoffmann, who oversees court maintenance for the tournament, described some early challenges.
“Once we decided black, we needed to make sure it worked,” Hoffmann said. “People had told us black doesn’t work as a court surface, otherwise it would be used already.
“The initial report was that the playability was good, the yellow ball on the black was highly visible, but the coating of black paint looked washed out when lit up and put through the broadcast cameras.”
Instead of abandoning their idea after these results, organizers continued refining their approach. They worked closely with a paint manufacturer to develop a custom formula by adjusting pigments and materials until achieving a deeper shade that met both performance and broadcast requirements. A second round of testing under lights showed that this new version succeeded.
Today’s Laver Cup courts are among the largest in professional tennis at 49 meters long by 23 meters wide—a size that also allows them to stand out visually during events. Because matches are held in major arenas worldwide where quick setup is necessary, each court is designed for portability: made from interlocking wood panels stored year-round in Munich. Before each tournament season begins in mid-August, crews reassemble these panels—each precisely numbered—to ensure seamless fit without visible breaks.
Hoffmann highlighted this logistical achievement: “The big mystery is when you put it together again, you don’t see the breaks,” he said. “That’s because all the plates are numbered and all the same pieces are coming together within a millimeter, fitting exactly together again.”
To prepare for play, crews first lay foam padding over concrete floors for cushioning before assembling wood panels topped with layers of rubberized paint mixed with sand and other materials for grip. White lines are partially painted beforehand in Germany; final touches occur at each venue site. The full installation process takes about eight hours.
In addition to surface innovations, officials opted early on to retain standard yellow balls due to their high visibility against black backgrounds. After each session, specialized machines and hand-cleaning remove any leftover fuzz from balls clinging to rougher areas of paint.
Reflecting on what sets his event apart from others globally recognized for blue or green courts—or even more unconventional colors—Zacks concluded: “The black court is one of the signature features of the Laver Cup,” he said. “It has really resonated with players and fans.”