Laykold. A winning hand

From the US Open to the Vegas Pickleball Slam, find out why choosing Laykold is a safe bet.

From US Open Grand Slam quality hardcourts to the temporary courts of the Pickleball Slam 3 that set the stage for legends like Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, and Steffi Graf earlier this month, Laykold continues to dominate the world’s best tennis and pickleball tournaments.

As the trusted surface of the US Open, Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, Miami Open, BNP Paribas Open, Pickleball Slam 3 and Australian Pickleball Open, Laykold is elevating the standard for professional tennis and pickleball courts worldwide. In the first few months of 2025 alone, Laykold has installed both permanent and temporary courts across multiple continents while maintaining a level of consistency that is 10 x greater than the industry standard.

Meet the ace behind temporary installations

Temporary installations present unique challenges, requiring speed, precision, and adaptability. With decades of experience in installations, Franz Fasold of Ace Surfaces, a leading installer of Laykold courts, plays a crucial role in ensuring that even short-term courts meet the highest professional standards.

“When we worked at Madison Square Garden (MSG) recently, there was a basketball game the night before. We arrived at 4 AM, installed the floor, and it was in use by 1 PM. The event took place at 7 PM, ended at 11 PM, and by 2 AM, the court was already on a truck,” says Fasold. The fast turnaround time is essential for multi-use venues like MSG, which deals with transitions like hosting basketball Wednesday, tennis Thursday, and ice hockey Friday.

At the recent Pickleball Slam 3 held in the Michelob ULTRA Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, the demands were just as rigorous. Fasold and his team at Ace Surfaces installed an oversized pickleball court in just two and a half hours. “The speed of installation is critical,” he explains. “But we never compromise on quality. We use the same Laykold systems that are proven on the biggest stages. We have our systems, and we know we can rely on them.”

“[For temporary installations] The speed of installation is critical. But we never compromise on quality. We use the same Laykold systems that are proven on the biggest stages. ”

— Fran Fasold of Ace Surfaces

Court quality is not temporary

Each installation comes with its own set of logistical hurdles. Some events require overnight construction to avoid disrupting venue operations. In other cases, space limitations and venue-specific labor rules dictate installation procedures.

“In union venues like MSG, we aren’t allowed to assemble the floors ourselves,” Fasold notes. “Instead, because venues like this have their own labor on site, we worked with a team of six union carpenters, while another crew moves the court into place. Every installation is a coordinated effort.”

The temporary nature of these courts doesn’t diminish their quality. Fasold emphasizes that Laykold’s surfaces, whether installed for a few hours or several months, maintain the same high standards. “For official tournaments like the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup, we ensure the court meets precise pace and performance standards. Even for temporary installations, we replicate those conditions.”

The Melbourne Australian Slam on Laykold. Installed by Pickleroll/Joola

The evolution of portable tennis and pickleball courts

Laykold’s dominance in both temporary and permanent installations is the result of years of refinement and innovation. Fasold, who has worked extensively with portable court technology, highlights how advancements in materials and installation techniques have streamlined the process.

“We partnered with Haro, a German wood flooring manufacturer, to develop a system that originally supported basketball but has proven just as effective for tennis and pickleball. Since our first installation in 2012, we’ve been able to install a full Laykold tennis court in just three and a half hours.”

Exporting unrivalled court consistency

Laykold’s expertise in both temporary and permanent installations continues to redefine standards in professional tennis and pickleball. Beyond the Pickleball Slam 3, Laykold’s partnership with the Miami Open is another standout example of court consistency regardless of the conditions. As the world’s biggest tennis ‘pop-up’ event, the Miami Open surfaces have to be rebuilt every year transforming the home of the Miami Dolphins into a world-class tennis venue with exacting pace precision requirements across all 31 courts in record time.

Laykold courts in Madison Square Gardens

A Laykold Royal Flush

Laykold’s ability to seamlessly integrate world-class courts into any venue, whether an iconic sports and entertainment arena like New York’s Madison Square Gardens and the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, or temporary event spaces like the Miami Gardens, makes it the go-to surface for the world’s biggest and best tournaments. Laykold’s court innovation coupled with industry leading installation teams gives court facilities a winning hand wherever they are based around the world.

The BNP Paribas Open is set to take place March 2nd to 15th, 2025 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Miami Open takes place March 16th – 30th, 2025 at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami.