The Rebound Ace refers to a synthetic hard court surface that is most popularly used in the sport of tennis. It is one of the oldest surfaces to be manufactured, having laid down its foundation in 1977.
The surface is mainly known for being the official court surface of the Australian Open from 1988 to 2007. During this tenure, it was also used in the lower tier events that were a part of the Australian Open swing. Though it was discontinued in 2008 by the ‘happy slam’, due to inconsistent thermal regulation of the surface, its use is still appreciated in the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup ties, WTA Championships, Asian Games, and other prestigious professional tennis tournaments.
The Rebound Ace offers a range of possibilities to tournament organizers. It’s hallmark feature is the bounce that it provides, making it probably the slowest hard court surface amongst its competitors. This reduction in the pace of the ball is because of its rubber shock layers and Mat adhesive technology that cushion the surface underneath.
The four commonly available Rebound Ace products are Synpave, Pro Cushion, Mat systems, and Impact. Out of these, the Synpave is the most basic surface that can be seen in schools and parks. It is known for its economic benefits, though it does have a significant chance of injury due to the absence of a shock absorbing layer.
The Pro Cushion surface comes with two layers of liquid rubber coats and can be ideally used as practice courts. Mat systems and Impact surfaces are the most widely used systems in professional tennis. The Mat systems are known for having a thick 4 mm rubber padding with Mat adhesives layered on it. The Mat systems are made of polyurethane and are arguably the most shock absorbing turfs. Impact surfaces on the other hand is known for its water-based impact resistant technology. Both surfaces allow for extended play without having any detrimental effects on the surface.
The Rebound Ace also has on offer a palette of 12 vibrant colors to choose from for the surface coating, thereby facilitating signature and customized looks.
