Tennis is a game played worldwide. From being played on courts at a high school or college, to the courts of Wimbledon or the U.S. Open, tennis continues to draw in thousands of players and millions of spectators across the globe. One of the most integral tools needed when playing tennis is the tennis ball.
History
The modern day version of tennis developed in 1870 from a game called "royal" also referred to as real tennis, which was played as early as 1480. When the change was made to the more modern version of tennis, the only thing that remained the same between the two games was hitting a ball over the net, while the ball, court and scoring all changed significantly. The game of tennis became more organized with the introduction of the International Lawn Tennis Federation in 1924. The ILTF dropped the word "lawn" from its name in 1977, but continues to be the organization with the authority to control the rules of tennis, including those revolving around the tennis ball.
Material
Tennis balls are made from a rubber core that is molded in two pieces and the glued together using a rubber cement. The ball is then coated with a fuzzy fabric of wool or synthetic felt. The material for the ball may vary depending on what type of court the ball is made for, such as a grass court, clay court or hard court.
Appearance
Tennis balls come in many colors, but to be an International Tennis Federation regulation tennis ball they must be white or yellow, with most balls being a fluorescent "optic" yellow. If seams are in the fabric coating of the ball, the seam must be stitch-less. This is to not interfere with the bouncing action of the ball during play.
Dimensions And Characteristics
The ITF also has specific rules in place for professional regulation tennis ball dimensions and characteristics, which most commercial balls also display as well. Tennis balls should weight 56.0 to 59.4 g. Their size should be 2.57 to 2.70 inches in diameter. The ball should be as round as possible allowing for even bounce. The rebound of the ball should be between 53 and 58 inches.
Member Comments