16 January 2020

Why don't more courts have scoreboards? We look for solutions

Ever forgotten the score mid set? Oh yes you have! So why don't courts routinely have scoreboards? We've been looking for solutions.

In the middle of a tough tennis match it is only too easy to lose track of the score. Now of course there are things you can do to help, such as asking the server to call the score out, and if things do go wrong there are procedures to employ to get back on track. But why don't more courts have scoreboards?

It got us thinking and searching what is available.

We liked the idea of personal scoring devices, such as Scoreband player scorer and even the Vibra Score Tennis Scorekeeper and Vibration Dampener, but we were really looking for something that showed the score to both players.

Our minimal requirement was to replicate the very useful feature of clay courts where you can make a mark for each game won on the dirt. This match (see pic left) was a little one-sided, but at least both players could follow the score. It's not quite as good as having an umpire call the points and game score, and updates might only happen at the change of ends, but it a system both players can own.


WOUMAR TENNIS SCOREBOARD

Club players may already be acquainted with this satisfying product (right). Available in a variety of versions including a net post fixing, players toggle the discs to show game (yellow) and set (red) scores.

PROS: Pleasing to use (especially if you are winning), robust and simple.

CONS: Expensive (we could only find the freestanding variety which is £235.19 at Sweatband). Not truly portable if you are taking it to park matches, and no easy way to identify players.


TENNIS POST SCOREBOARD

Another solution sometimes seen in clubs, this is a professional looking piece of kit which promises to be hard-wearing.

PROS: Allows you to name the players and displays the game scores in numbers which makes it easier to read, especially for spectators. Affordable: currently £49.99 from UK manufacturer, Vermont Sports.

CONS: Not truly portable - it needs to be fixed to the net post. Rotatable but only visible from one side.


Freestanding Wooden Tennis Scoreboard

Perhaps more suited to the annual tournament when the world and his dog comes to watch, this would be an asset in any match.

PROS: Really looks the part and you can name the players and see the numerical scores from a distance.

CONS: Less easy to change scores than a toggle system. Not truly portable unless perhaps you have trained as an "end of the world is nigh" street walker. Expensive, currently £279.99 from Vermont Sports.


FENCE MOUNTED TENNIS SCOREBOARD

Very familiar to many club players, this can hang off the courts and if you are using it for a league match you might be tempted to improvise another way of recording the players' names rather than Home and Visitor (unless you are Max Home playing Stan Visitor, of course).

PROS: At 14in x 20in it is just about possible to consider sticking this in your racket bag and bringing to the court. Easy to attach to any court fencing and double-sided so spectators can follow the action.

CONS: Pricey for what it is - currently £88.99 from Net World Sports


THE LOCAL TENNIS LEAGUE'S SOLUTION

We got a little "Blue Peterish" and dived down to Rymans to buy a Magnet Dry Wipe Board and a refillable Pilot Board Master whiteboard marker. We accessorised our purchase by adding a Velcro pad to the pen to secure it to the board and fixed a cable to the board so we could hang it on the court fencing (using a kitchen hook, ["Put it back!"]. Next, we trialled it in a session with our coach, using it just as we would make marks in the clay. (Note from coach: "This is not how you spell my name and, fake news alert, Nigel did not get a game off me.") As the board is magnetic, we later added whiteboard magnets, making our ingenious device even more fun to use (it's one set and two-one to Sally).

PROS: Worked very well and we enjoyed "chalking up the score". Very customisable - you could easily add permanent rules to divide the player columns and use different coloured magnets to indicate sets won.
Total outlay £10.48 (plus the Velcro and the picture chord and hook which we had already).

CONS: Mildly eccentric. We might think twice about using it when playing Rafa Nadal.

So what are your solutions? Let us know here or on twitter @tennisleagues #scorebordbuilder