Sustainable tennis courts and recycled ball furniture spotlighted in France and Belgium

In Chambéry, France, a new tennis court project emphasizes sustainability throughout the construction process. Engineers are conducting detailed soil analyses, limiting unnecessary earthworks, selecting durable materials and implementing effective rain‑water management to reduce resource consumption and environmental impact.

In Belgium, designer Mathilde Wittock has founded an eco‑design studio that transforms discarded tennis balls—about 400 million discarded each year—into acoustic panels and furniture under the brand name "Soundbounce." The balls are hand‑cut, dyed with eco‑friendly pigments and assembled without glue onto wooden frames, creating removable, fully recyclable sound‑absorbing surfaces for hotels, offices and homes.

Both initiatives showcase how the sport of tennis can inspire greener construction and innovative recycling solutions.