How to Vent a Tennis Windscreen

Tennis court fences are often enclosed with a fabric windscreen to provide a better ball-tracking environment for players. Windscreens also block out the movement of people, animals or traffic around the courts, improving players' concentration during games. Contrary to its name, a windscreen doesn't prevent a large amount of wind from coming onto the court. But failure to properly "vent" a windscreen can lead to fence damage.

• 1

  Measure the width of each panel of closed-mesh windscreen. Panels may extend the length of the court or be installed in smaller sections.

• 2

  Determine locations for the vents and mark them with an ink pen. Typically, venting starts 5 feet from the left edge and is repeated every 10 feet. If your panel is less than 10 feet wide, position the vent in the center. Vents should be midway from the top to bottom.

• 3

  Measure out a rectangle at each marking, 12 inches tall by 18 inches wide. Draw this out with the pen.

• 4

  Cut each rectangle out.

• 5

  Sew a seam on the edge around the rectangle to prevent fraying. Even a moderate amount of wind blowing through the vent can fray un-seamed edges. Some facilities use canvas to frame the edge, creating a more resilient vent.