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Tennis Balls
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All tennis balls are not created equal!!! From the felt, to the rubber membrane(s), to the inflation gas or to the synthetic solid fill, there are big differences between tennis ball models. There are pressurerized balls (the standard for tennis balls) and pressureless balls (used for classes by teaching pros). There is an art and science behind tennis ball manufacturing and performance, so make sure you are using the right ball for the right surface and occasion.
For just hitting around and practicing, pressurized tennis balls generally lose their effectiveness after 3 weeks to 4 weeks unless you put them back into a pressurized canister after play. These pressurized canisters work by making sure the surrounding pressure exceeds the internal pressure of the tennis ball, not allowing gas to permeate through the rubber out of the ball. Most of us are too lazy to deal with this however so we just buy new balls.
For competitive play, a new can is always required for each match.
We categorize tennis balls as follows:
Serious competitive play "pro tournament balls":
- Wilson U.S. Open Xtra Duty (Hard Court)
- Dunlop Grand Prix Xtra Duty (Hard Court)
- Penn ATP Xtra Duty (Hard Court)
- Pro Penn Xtra Duty (Hard Court)
- Pro Penn Regular Duty (Clay or Har-Tru Court)
- Gamma Pro Tour
Extra Duty (hard court)
Popular competitive play and practice (ITF and USTA approved balls):
- Wilson Championship Xtra Duty (Hard Court)
- Wilson Championship Regular Duty (Clay Courts or Har-tru Courts)
- Penn Championship Xtra Duty (Hard Court)
- Penn Championship Regular Duty (Clay courts and Har-Tru Courts)
- Dunlop Championship Hard Court (Hard Court)
- Dunlop Championship All Court (Clay Court and Har-Tru Courts)
- Gamma Championship (Hard Court and Clay Court)
Recreational play:
- Penn Court 1
- Gamma Practice Balls
- Gamma Pressureless Practice Balls
- Wilson Match Point
Please note that pressureless balls do not last forever, the felt still wears out.
The specifications for tennis balls are defined by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). An official tennis ball must meet certain physical specifications. For example, a tennis ball must bounce between 53 inches and 58 inches when dropped from a 100-inch height onto a concrete surface. The ball must also deform between 0.22 inches and 0.29 inches when subjected to an 18 pound force. Diameter and weight can vary slightly to account for different felt thicknesses for different court surfaces.
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