Penn has been a prominent manufacturer of tennis balls since 1910. The company creates specialized tennis balls to adapt to the various types of playing courts and is used in numerous professional and amateur tournaments. The U.S. Professional Tennis Association chose Penn as its official tennis ball in 1973. Penn has shown itself to be an environmentally conscious company, producing tennis balls from recycled materials.
History
Penn, officially known as Penn Racquet Sports, began to manufacture tennis balls in Jeanette, Pa., in 1910, and created the first pressurized tennis ball can in the early 1920s. According to the company, it created the first fluorescent yellow tennis ball in 1968. The vibrant color allowed players to more easily follow the ball, and it remains a standard in tennis competition at all levels. The Tennis Masters Series adopted Penn as its official tennis ball in 2001. The company also produces racquetballs.
Usage
The tennis ball is an essential piece of equipment for playing tennis. According to Penn, its ATP model is used in 10 prominent professional tennis tournaments worldwide. Penn tennis balls can be used on various playing surfaces, including hard courts, clay courts and grass. The company also makes balls designed for use at high altitude.
Types
The Professional models of Penn tennis balls are specifically designed for professional tournaments that feature the top tennis players in the world. According to Penn, the ATP model remains the top choice of professionals players on the ATP World tour. Penn states that the Championship model remains the top-selling ball in the United States. The company also offers a series of teaching balls that feature greater control for young players learning the basics.
Features
The Professional models of Penn balls feature a patented Encore Technology. Penn states that the core of the Pro Penn ball features natural and man-made polymers that help keep the ball from softening over time. The durable core helps the balls maintain a consistent bounce. The ATP model features a specialized type of felt known as Smart Optik. The bright yellow color of the felt helps increase the visibility of the ball.
Size
Penn manufactured only standard-sized tennis balls for its first 90 years of production. In 2000, after requests from the International Tennis Federation, Penn released its first larger tennis ball, known as the Penn OS. According to Penn, the OS model is 6 percent larger than a conventional tennis ball. The teaching tennis balls from Penn have a smaller size for younger players.
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