A work surface is a flat area, for example the top of a table, desk, or kitchen cupboard, on which you can work. It can simply be left on the work surface
A surface is a place in memory to draw a screen before blitting To avoid tearing finish a surface before you blit it
The material that layers the top of the court Tennis court surfaces are often made of concrete, clay or grass
this is always actually what you see - so it is a mistake, and a lost opportunity, not to make full use of it and the qualities (texturing, toolmarks etc) you can give it as a carver