It’s amazing when we really think about how long people have played tennis since it was developed way back in the 1870s. It was derived from royal tennis, also known as real tennis, that has also been played centuries before.
The two games are very similar in structure, but some of the mechanics and elements are in stark contrast, such as the type and size of the court and the scoring method. There are also historical accounts that royal tennis was also derived from an earlier game called “tenez” in France, which means “take hold”.
The Very First Tennis Balls
What you consider as the first tennis ball depends on your historical standpoint. Some sources show that the earliest tennis balls can be traced back to the 15th century. Records state that such balls were made of various materials but usually from leather balls stuffed with wool or horsehair.
Meanwhile, royal tennis used balls made out of cork wrapped around by a piece of fabric. These pieces were mostly handsewn. Those who cannot afford to have such gear made their own with anything that they deem best to stuff inside a leathery covering, typically made from animal intestine. There are even records of early tennis balls containing stuffing of human hair.
That only means there was no standard tennis ball in the past.
The First Official Tennis Ball
The first official tennis ball made specifically for lawn tennis was developed in the 1870s. It was made out of India rubber processed through the vulcanization method, which was invented by Charles Goodyear two decades prior.
Both players and tennis ball manufacturers soon discovered, though, that these balls tend to wear out easily through use. Hence, the tennis ball started its first few evolutions.
The first one was wrapped with flannel, while the second type utilized a pressurized gas core inside the hollowed-out rubber. The second variation was possible through the “clover-leaf” process. It involves cutting of rubber sheet into a shape that resembles a three-leaf clover.
It will then be assembled into a spherical shape with the use of a special machine. This process produces the same shape that we still recognize and use until today.
The Iconic Yellow Ball
Contrary to popular belief, tennis balls weren’t always yellow. They were originally produced in either black or white. What triggered the change was the media.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) deemed that giving the tennis ball a neon yellowish hue would make it easier for television viewers to enjoy watching the game at home. That was in 1972. It wasn’t until 1986, though, when Wimbledon also decided to adopt the change.
The Tennis Balls of Today: ITF-Approved Tennis Balls
From there, other variations about the physics of tennis balls were created. That resulted in seven types of tennis balls approved by the ITF, including:
- Type 1: The fast-speed ball
- Type 2: The standard ball
- Type 3: The slow-speed ball
- The high-altitude ball
- Stage 1: Preparation ball; colored green
- Stage 2: Preparation ball; colored orange
- Stage 3: Beginner ball; colored red
The first four types adopt the yellow color, while the last three stage balls incorporate other colors into their design to help players determine the difference.
These balls were softer to make their speed and altitude more manageable for training and game preparation. They are definitely recommended for beginner use, especially for younger players who are still training their motion response and hit accuracy.
Here’s a fun fact: Did you know that the ITF recognizes 200 brands for official use?
We definitely recommend checking some of them out if you’re hunting for tennis balls. These companies have undergone a rigorous approval process to ensure that their product meets the standards required by the federation.
Other Tennis Ball Categories
Aside from the types mentioned above, we can also categorize tennis balls as either pressureless or pressurized.
Pressureless balls are those structured with solid cores for increased durability. Their felt covering tends to wear out faster, though.
On the other hand, pressurized balls are those structured with hollow cores either filled with air or nitrogen. They do lose their bounce immediately after you take them out of their special packaging.
These balls perform better; thus, used in official sports events.
To Sum Up
Tennis has certainly gone a long way as a sport. We have been playing this game for centuries, after all, both competitively or for enjoyment. The game’s history can also be traced by following how the tennis ball has evolved over the years.
What started as a leather ball stuffed with animal hair is now a complex piece of sports equipment that utilizes physics and technology. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the iconic yellow ball was developed, though, to improve its visibility not only for players but also for the tennis enthusiasts watching tennis matches at home.
Today, there is a wide variety of tennis ball types to choose from, manufactured by ITF-recognized brands for our different playing purposes.
If you want to learn more about tennis balls and ball machines, click here.
