There are so many different kinds of tennis balls that choosing the right balls is often a confusing decision. I have long been interested in understanding why there are so many different kinds of tennis balls, so I was really excited to dive into this topic and take out the guesswork for you.
Penn, alone, makes over 10 different kinds of tennis balls for adults, plus other balls for kids. And, of course, this is just one brand.
Many other brands also produce a variety of tennis balls, including Babolat, Diadem, Dunlop, Slazenger, Tenifibre, Wilson and more. Choosing a tennis ball can be quite confusing.
What Are The Rules For Tennis Balls?
Tennis balls are regulated by International Tennis Federation (ITF). Specifically, Rule 3 and Appenix I of the ITF Rules governs tennis balls. These rules are further enhanced by regulations and technical guidelines promulgated by the ITF.
There are four types of balls approved for adults by the ITF: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3 and High Altitude.
Type 1 balls are slightly harder and faster balls and are designed for slower court surfaces, such as clay courts. Type 2 balls are considered all-purpose balls. Type 3 balls are slightly larger and slower and are designed for faster surfaces, such as grass. Type 3 balls are slower because they have a 7.00-7.30cm (2.76-2.87 inches) size, as compared to a 6.54-6.86cm (2.57-2.70 inches) size for other balls.
Finally, High Altitude balls, with a slightly higher rebound, are designed to be played at altitudes of 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) or more above sea level.
There is a vast array of rules governing tennis balls. For instance, there are detailed rules governing the weight, size, and rebound of balls. Balls must weigh between 56-59.4 grams. There are even rules regarding permitted colors of balls. Yellow and white balls are the only approved colors for adults. Here is a chart highlighting the basic requirements to be eligible for approval by the ITF for each type of ball:
The ITF even governs the number and size of markings on balls. Specifically, the rules allow for a maximum of two decals and provide that the height and width of each decal cannot exceed 32mm and 52mm, respectively. Here is the language from the ITF regulations:
Approved balls can be pressurized or pressureless, although pressureless balls are typically just used by beginners and for practice. There are 10 Type 2 pressureless balls approved by the International Tennis Federation.
There are detailed, comprehensive rules regarding testing requirements for the approval of tennis balls
What Type of Approved Ball is Most Popular
Type 2 balls are, by far, the most popular approved ball by the ITF. Of the 159 balls approved by the ITF for adults (as of today’s date), only 2 are Type 1 (the Babolat Team Clay and the Dunlop HD) and 8 are High Altitude. There are no approved Type 3 balls. The remaining 149 approved balls are all Type 2.
Therefore, it is safe to say that most players will almost always be playing with a Type 2, pressurized ball. With 139 Type 2 pressurized balls to choose from, how is one to choose? To answer this question, we must examine the different types of tennis balls.
Differences Between Premium, Championship and Recreational Balls
Premium tennis balls, sometimes referred to as Professional tennis balls, are the highest quality, and typically most expensive, balls. Championship tennis balls are a step down, but are still very high quality, excellent tennis balls. Recreational balls are typically used just for practice.
Most of us are usually playing with Premium or Championship balls. Penn claims that its Championship tennis ball is the best selling tennis ball in America.
Even within these categories, there are different categories of balls, including Regular Duty, Extra Duty and, sometimes, High Altitude balls. Extra Duty tennis balls, which have a thicker felt and are designed to last longer, are typically used on hard courts, such as at the U.S. Open.
Regular Duty tennis balls, which have a thinner felt, are typically used on other surfaces. Given the extra felt on Extra Duty tennis balls, they are slightly slower playing balls than Regular Duty balls. High Altitude balls (obviously!) are typically used when playing at higher elevations.
What Balls Are Played At The Grand Slam Tournaments?
The below chart shows the balls played at the Grand Slams.
| Tennis Balls Played At Grand Slam Tournaments | |
| Tournament | Ball Played |
| Australian Open | Dunlop Australian Open Tennis Balls |
| French Open | Wilson Roland Garros Tennis Balls |
| Wimbledon | Slazenger The Wimbeldon Ball |
| U.S. Open | Wilson US Open Official Ball |
It is important to note that the tournaments typically enter long-term commercial agreements with tennis ball manufacturers. When these agreements expire, the tournament may sign a new agreement with a different company. A recent example is that the Australian Open switched from Wilson to Dunlop balls in 2019.
It is also worth noting that Wimbeldon and Slazenger have the longest partnership in sporting goods history. Slazenger has been the official ball of Wimbledon since 1902.
All tennis balls played at Grand Slams are Type 2 balls.
History of Tennis Balls
For a fascinating, brief history of tennis balls, see this article on the ITF website.
