Choosing the Right Ball Articles | Tennis

By: Joe Dively

To the novice, all tennis balls may look alike (except for their color), but those who’ve been playing the game awhile know that that is simply not so Tennis balls are much more than fuzzy rubber things.  Want to learn more?  Read on.

Pressurized vs. Pressureless Tennis Balls:
There are two main types of tennis balls: pressurized and pressureless.

Pressurized tennis balls are hollow in the center and are filled with air. Or even nitrogen. Pressurized balls are short lived, only lasting about a month once taken form their sealed can since the pressure of the can is released once the seal is broken.  A dead ball is one which has lost its bounce.

Pressureless balls have a solid core. These tennis balls are great for anyone who does not play tennis that often.  They are also great practice balls.   Their main drawback is that the felt usually wears off in time, causing them to be replaced.
Regular Duty, Extra Duty, or High Altitude Tennis Balls:

-Regular duty tennis balls are made for indoor and clay courts.

-Extra duty tennis balls are used on grass courts and tennis courts.  You should avoid using these on clay courts since they become too fuzzy.

High altitude tennis balls are used in places like Denver where you are playing 4,000 feet or more above sea level. These balls feature different pressure  since regular balls would bounce too much at this elevation.

Tennis Ball “Fuzziness:”
Why are tennis balls fuzzy?  The fuzz creates friction. This creates dray in the air, making topspin and backspin more pronounced and more possible.

Numbers on the Tennis Balls:
Have you ever wondered what the numbers on your tennis balls meant?  There isn’t any real complicated reasoning for it, other than to help players more easily retrieve your balls.  Assuming the players next to you aren’t using the same brand and numbered balls, having the numbers helps you figure out which balls are yours, and which belong to adjoining court players.  So the next time you pop open a new can of balls, be sure to check the maker and number for easier retrieval – especially if you find it difficult to keep your balls in your own court!

Tennis Ball Color:
Is there a reason why some tennis balls are yellow, while others are green, red or eve orange?  Not really.  Some manufacturers offer different colors to help players better identify or see their balls.  Vibrant colored balls are especially helpful when teaching children to play since they have the tendency to be able to spot brighter oranges and reds easier in the air.

Bet you didn’t know there was so much to a tennis ball.  So, the next time you go shopping for balls, you’ll have a better idea which one is best for you.