Tennis players play matches on different types of surfaces: grass, clay, indoor courts or hard courts. Each tennis court surface has its own characteristics which affect game play. The type of tennis ball can also affect the game's overall speed. In general, yellow felt tennis balls are preferred over orange felt tennis balls, since the yellow ones can be easily seen during televised matches.
Tennis Ball Classes
Three classes of tennis balls are available for sale: professional, championship and recreational. Professional tennis balls are used in pro tournaments; championship balls are used in local municipal and league games. Recreational tennis balls are primarily used for practice.
Tennis balls are also categorized by speed: slow speed, medium speed and fast speed. Slow speed is good for beginners and for practice. Most people use medium speed for regular game play.
Pressurized vs. Unpressurized
Tennis balls that are pressurized have a hollow core filled with air or nitrogen. Over time, the air or nitrogen will leak out and cause the tennis balls to lose their bounciness. Once a can of tennis balls is opened, pressurized tennis balls' bounce will last about one or two months.
Unpressurized tennis balls have a solid interior rubber core. No air or gas is inside the core. These tennis balls are more expensive, but they last longer. Although these tennis balls are bit stiff in the beginning, they become bouncier over time.
Clay Court Balls
Clay tennis courts are different than hard or asphalt courses; players tend to slide more on this surface. Tennis balls travel slower on clay courts. If you play on clay courts, the tennis balls will pick up clay and become heavier over time.
For clay courts and for indoor courts, only use tennis balls marked "soft court" or "regular duty." Because of their thinner felt covers, soft court tennis balls will pick up less clay. Clay court tennis balls will have the brand name printed in red.
Hard Court Balls
Many outdoor tennis courts are made from asphalt and grass. These tennis court surfaces require "extra duty" or "hard court" tennis balls. These tennis balls have heavier felt covers to protect them and make them bounce on the hard court surface. These extra duty tennis balls are also designed to handle more work. Hard court tennis balls have the brand name printed in black.
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