Best Tennis Balls For Artificial Grass
While tennis balls look like – tennis balls and seem to be almost identical, it is surprising to find out how different they are from each other and the huge amount of research that goes into their development. No two tennis balls are the same, and each is designed for different surfaces, varying altitudes, and even for different aged players.
The best tennis ball for playing on artificial grass is the official Wimbledon ball from Slazenger, called the Slazenger Wimbledon Tennis Balls. These heavier balls slow the speed down and bounce slightly lower than the competition, ideal for games on a faster artificial grass court.
Choosing the right ball for your tennis game is often confusing as there are over two hundred balls authorized by the ITF (International Tennis Federation). Using the most suitable for your circumstances improves the enjoyment of the game.
The Best Tennis Balls To Use On Artificial Grass
Tennis courts that are surfaced with artificial grass have similar characteristics to hard court surfaces. Synthetic grass courts tend to be faster, so the better balls to use help keep the game speed down as far as possible while still keeping the play exciting.
The consensus is that the Slazenger Wimbledon range of tennis balls is the most suited for pay on artificial grass tennis courts.
It is not surprising as it is the official tennis ball used in the annual Wimbledon and the Queen’s Club Championships.
It’s one of the heaviest balls available, making it the perfect choice to play on artificial grass because the weight slows the ball down on the quick surface.
What Are The Slazenger Wimbledon Tennis Balls Like?
At 350 grams (12.35 ounces), the Slazenger Wimbledon Tennis Balls are one of the heaviest available.
The Slazenger Wimbledon Ball Performance
With its heavier, low bouncing characteristics, the Slazenger Wimbledon ball is very different to play with than lighter and faster balls.
The Slazenger Wimbledon balls bounce slightly above an adult’s approximate hip height, making them very easy to return and keep under control.
After it heats up, the balls speed up a little, become somewhat lighter, and bounce slightly higher. The ball remains very consistent through repeated volleys, and the bounce height and speed will not change in a game. It makes the Slazenger Wimbledon Ball suitable for competitions and tournaments.
After being played, they seem to lose some pressure; however, the bounce and flight characteristics remain the same, and even though the ball may look a little ragged, you can use them for more than one match.
The Slazenger Wimbledon’s Ball Speed
The ITF (International Tennis Federation) classes the Slazenger Wimbledon Tennis Balls as a Type 2 medium speedball.
It feels slower and heavier than other, similarly categorized tennis balls, making it easier to play on fast surfaces like AstroTurf and grass.
The slower speed makes it much easier to keep longer-lasting volleys going and keep individual points in play for longer times. For the amateur tennis player, this equates to a more enjoyable game.
On rougher (more abrasive) surfaces, they fluff up faster, which reduces the speed of play more quickly than other balls.
Durability Of The Slazenger Wimbledon Ball
In AstroTurf and grass, they are generally considered the premier tennis ball.
On artificial grass tennis courts, the Slazenger Wimbledon’s are durable. They will continue to deliver the same characteristics over five or six sets and can still be used afterward.
On harder, more abrasive courts, they are not as durable, and they fluff up and degrade much faster than other makes of the ball. Even though they may look a little worse for wear, they are still playable after several sets.
What Are Slazenger Wimbledon Balls Like In Wet Conditions?
Slazenger adds a coating to the balls, which they call Hydro Guard Technology.
This coating aims to prevent grass from staining the balls and improve their performance in humid or wet conditions.
Slazenger claims the Hydro Guard Technology coating makes the ball 70% more water-repellent than competitor’s balls.
While nothing can prevent a tennis ball from becoming wet when the tennis court is sodden, the Hydro Guard Technology coating provides impressive resistance. It will last at least two sets before they become unplayable.
Cost Of Slazenger Wimbledon Balls
The price of this top-rated competition ball is less than other equivalent tennis balls.
Amazon (UK) has a special on which you can purchase three tins of three balls (twelve in total) for £23.76 ($29.70), which works out at £1.98 ($2.47) per ball.
It compares to.
- Babolat Uomo Donna Team X4 502011 113 Tennis Balls at £2.21 ($2.78) per ball.
- Wilson Roland Garros Official Balls at £2.25 ($2.81) per ball.
What Are Tennis Balls Specifications?
There is a surprising amount of research and development that goes into creating a new tennis ball.
To be recognized by the ITF, a tennis ball must pass the following tests.
- The ball’s mass must fall within an acceptable mass range between 1.975 and 2.095 ounces (56.0-59.4 grams).
- The tennis balls must have a diameter that falls between 2.575-2.700 inches (6.541-6.858 cm)
- Type 1 ball forward deformation (the amount it can be squashed by) is limited to: 5.0 to 6.0 mm (European clay courts)
- Type 2 balls forward deformation: 0.22 inches (5.6 mm) to 0.29 inches (7.4 mm) and are ideal for grass and artificial grass use.
- The ball is dropped vertically from 100 inches (254 cm), and the size it rebounds to is measured. It must bounce between 53 inches (134 cm) and 58 inches (137 cm) at a temperature of 69 degrees.
Conclusion
Tennis balls look like very simple and basic objects; however, the science and technology behind the ball are very impressive.
The Slazenger Wimbledon Tennis Balls are the official ball used in the Wimbledon championship, and its design increases the enjoyment of the game when played on an artificial grass surface.
