Which tennis net post do you have?
A replacement post has to fit the sleeve already set in the court. A square post is plain to see. For a round post, wrap a tape measure around it. A 2-7/8 inch post reads about 9 inches around and a 3 inch post about 9-7/16 inches, since the distance around a post is its diameter times pi. The two readings sit only about 3/8 inch apart, so treat the tape as a guide.
| Post | Shape and size | Tape around the post | Steel | Winder | Sleeve that fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier XS | Round, 2-7/8 in | About 9 in | 8 gauge, galvanized and powder coated | Internal, 30 to 1 gears, plated, stainless steel or brass | 24 in PVC or aluminum |
| Sidewinder Deluxe | Round, 2-7/8 in | About 9 in | 8 gauge, galvanized and powder coated | External aluminum reel with a side handle | 24 in PVC or aluminum |
| Premier RD | Round, 3 in | About 9-7/16 in | 11 gauge | Internal, 30 to 1 gears | 24 in steel |
| DTP-37 | Round, 3 in | About 9-7/16 in | 7 gauge, 3/16 in wall | Internal, 30 to 1 gears | 24 in steel |
| Premier SQ | Square, 3 by 3 in | 12 in | 11 gauge | Internal, 30 to 1 gears | 24 in aluminum square |
| Premier SQ surface mount | Square, 3 by 3 in on a 6 by 7 in plate | 12 in | 11 gauge | Internal | No sleeve. Four 1/2 in bolts at least 2-3/4 in long on a 4-1/2 by 5 in pattern, not included |
To match a post already in the ground, or if the tape reading falls between the two sizes, call (480) 264-6889, Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Arizona time.
Every in-ground post above is 60 inches long and stands 42 inches above the court. Spare sleeves are in ground sleeves.
Round or square, internal or external winder?
On a replacement, the sleeve in the ground has already decided the shape. On a new court, round and square posts both stand 42 inches above the court, and the shape decides which sleeves, caps and gear assemblies fit from then on.
An internal winder keeps the gears inside the post. Douglas uses 30 to 1 gears in the Premier and DTP-37 posts, and offers the Premier XS with plated, stainless steel or brass gears. The Sidewinder Deluxe uses an external aluminum reel with a side handle instead. Gauge sets the wall thickness, and a lower gauge means thicker steel, so the 7 gauge DTP-37 has the heaviest wall here and the 11 gauge Premier RD and SQ the lightest. Gear assemblies, reels and handles for these posts are in replacement parts.
Where do tennis net posts go?
Rule 1 of the International Tennis Federation's Rules of Tennis puts the center of each net post 3 feet outside the doubles sideline, which sets the posts 42 feet apart center to center. For singles on a doubles court, singles sticks stand 3 feet outside each singles sideline, 33 feet apart. The net cord sits 3 feet 6 inches high at the posts and 3 feet at the center, held by a white center strap, and the top of a post may stand no more than 1 inch above the cord. Douglas has you crank the net to about 38 inches at the center, then pull it down to 36 with the strap.
Douglas sets its in-ground posts this way.
- Each footing is a bell-shaped hole 24 inches across at the top, 30 inches at the bottom and at least 36 inches deep.
- The sleeve goes in plugged end down while the concrete is poured, set plumb to a plumb line and flush with the court surface.
- The bottom collar on the post holds it about 3 feet 6 inches above the court.
- The center anchor sits 21 feet from each post for doubles, or 16 feet 6 inches for singles, in a bell-shaped hole 9 inches across at the top, 12 inches at the bottom and 12 inches deep.
- Off season, Douglas suggests pulling the posts and plugging the sleeves with round or square T-plugs to keep out water and dirt.
Douglas notes that its footing sizes are approximate and vary with local soil and frost.
Is a tennis net taller than a pickleball net?
Yes. A tennis net stands 42 inches at the posts and 36 inches at the center. A pickleball net stands 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center.
| Measure | Tennis, ITF Rule 1 | Pickleball, USA Pickleball 2026 rulebook |
|---|---|---|
| Net height at the posts or sidelines | 3 ft 6 in, or 42 in | 36 in, plus or minus 1/4 in, Rule 3.B.6 |
| Net height at the center | 3 ft, or 36 in | 34 in, plus or minus 1/4 in, Rule 3.B.7 |
| Post spacing | Centers 3 ft outside the doubles court, 42 ft apart | 22 ft inside to inside, plus or minus 1 in, Rule 3.B.2 |
| Largest post | 6 in, square or round | 3 in diameter, Rule 3.B.2 |
The nets for these posts are in tennis nets.
Can you hit a ball around the net post?
Yes. Rule 25 of the Rules of Tennis counts a return as good when the ball passes outside the net posts, above or below the height of the net, even if it touches a post, as long as it lands in the correct court.
Posts, sleeves and parts go straight in the cart. For anything else, call (480) 264-6889.