Are you also the one who takes tennis ball as mere yellow coloured bouncy ball? I am sorry buddy, but you are living in a wrong world. There are lots more facets of tennis ball apart from the yellow colour. Let’s take a closer & detailed look at the tennis ball.
History
The first tennis ball was made in 11th century from leather with wool or fur wrapped around the ball with string. Though the real tennis ball came into existence in 19th century when the process of rubber vulcanization was gaining popularity. Charles Goodyear created the first rubber tennis ball with felt stitched along the outside.
Types of Tennis ball
Pressure-less tennis ball
This type of ball has a solid core with long living bounciness. The more you use the pressure less ball, the more the ball will flight, bounce and change the spin responses.
Pressurized Ball
This type of ball has a hollow core filled with air that they bounce more but, looses bounciness easily. As air seeps out of the tennis ball during the game, a pressurized ball loses its bounce gradually.
Regular duty
This type of ball is best suited for indoor and clay courts.
Extra duty
This type of ball is best suited for grass and concrete courts.
High Altitude
This type of ball is best suited for high altitude regions.
International Tennis Federation’s rules for tennis ball
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has laid down certain criteria for size, weight, deformation, and bounce.
*The standard tennis ball must have a diameter between 65.41 mm and 68.58 mm
*The standard tennis ball must weighs between 56.7 g to 58.5 g
*The standard tennis ball must have rebound height of 135 to 147 cm (53-58 inches).
*The standard tennis ball must be tensed with environment having temperature of 20°C / 68°F, humidity 60% and atmospheric pressure of 102 kPA.
Did you know?
*The world record for the number of tennis balls held in a dog’s mouth is five.
*The fastest server in the women’s tennis was done by Venus Williams who recorded a serve of 205 km/h.
*Yellow tennis balls were used at Wimbledon for the first time in 1986.
*Tennis balls with holes drilled in them have been used in the UK as protective homes for field mice.
*Tennis balls can also help any laundry load dry faster – just throw two or three in the dryer and your clothes will be done quicker.
PS: Whether you buy tennis ball from store or buy tennis ball online, always give attention to what kind of ball you want and the criteria laid down by ITF.
Vinay Bedi
