A guide to tennis balls - what you WANT to know!
- Thread starter mtommer
- Start date
vmosrafa08
Semi-Pro
Good guide, but I don't have enough patience to read it..
Drop Shot 11
Rookie
LOL, I use those foam balls for begingers for use in my house against my glass sliding door; also on my garage door.
mikeler
Moderator
This proves why I like Prince Tour Regular Duty balls so much. They have the highest bounce height. It also shows why I can't stand the Wilson US Open Extra Duty balls because they have one of the lowest bounces heights. It seems like a pretty big range to allow one ball to bounce six inches higher than another and then both balls are within specs.
a_2c+
Rookie
A. Penn
1. Penn Championship
heh. my coach uses these balls for game days, while he insists on the ProPenn balls for practice.
just simply odd.
mtommer
Hall of Fame
Maybe, it depends. If in practice one is hitting the ball a lot more often then the added quality of the ball adds up to cost savings over time as you don't have to keep opening cans. Conversely, the Championship balls are fine for match play and I'm guessing your coach goes through fewer balls in match situations thus the cost savings could be better. Then again, the coach just might be odd.
mtommer
Hall of Fame
Thanks! It is a sticky and anyone needing to access this thread can do so by the FAQ sticky at the top of the page along with several other fine threads.
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This is slightly off-topic, but it does explain some interesting things about the ball industry.
http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/articles/2008/11/playing_ball.html
http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/articles/2008/11/playing_ball.html
SpiralEdge
New User
I'm interested in buying tennis balls to fill up a hopper so I'm looking forward to buying the Dunlop Grand Prix, but one thing confuses me. On this site, the Dunlop GrandPrix XD Tennis Balls are offered. However, on another site, two types of Dunlop Grand Prix balls are offered: hard court and regular duty. I plan to be playing on public courts located outside, so what's the difference between the hard court balls and the ones offered on this site?
dancraig
Hall of Fame
The hard court balls are more durable, the regular are more for clay courts.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/feedback.html?pcode=DTBC
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My favorite result from this study is the corroboration about Dunlop balls. They don't lose fuzz/mass. They do indeed make great hopper balls...but I'm starting to not like them as match balls.
3. Dunlop Abzorber
I felt like Absorber plays like a premium ball. I paid premium prices too.
KOPT
New User
Great guide,one thing i was always wondering about were the little numbers on the balls,like 2 in one can of exact same balls that are marked 4 in the other can.Before i was sure that represents the hardness of the ball,but after i googled the answer turns out the are numbered only to distinguish your balls from the people on the next court who might be playing with the same balls that are numbered different.
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PrinceMoron
Legend
What has happened to tennis balls these days? Slazenger used to be good, though a bit heavy for the first couple of games. Wilson were great. Penn ok for 2 sets.
Now every ball is terrible. The Slazengers fluff up to double their sze. The Dunlops stop bouncing after 30 minutes. Wilson Australian Open fly around for one set and then don't bounce. The US Open balls are terrible. HELP. I can't find anything I like enough to buy a box of.
It all started to go wrong with those cra*ppy Wilson Titanium balls. Now half the people you play with have those cheap Wilson balls in the red tube, that just don't bounce. I never thought I would hear myself saying it, but at least with Tretorn you know what you are getting. I am starting to think I need to buy a Roddick GT so it doesn't make any difference what balls you use. I just want a decent 4 ball tube I can use for one match, and maybe hit with the next day, before throwing them. Half the balls on the market today, I wouldn't even give to my dog.
Now every ball is terrible. The Slazengers fluff up to double their sze. The Dunlops stop bouncing after 30 minutes. Wilson Australian Open fly around for one set and then don't bounce. The US Open balls are terrible. HELP. I can't find anything I like enough to buy a box of.
It all started to go wrong with those cra*ppy Wilson Titanium balls. Now half the people you play with have those cheap Wilson balls in the red tube, that just don't bounce. I never thought I would hear myself saying it, but at least with Tretorn you know what you are getting. I am starting to think I need to buy a Roddick GT so it doesn't make any difference what balls you use. I just want a decent 4 ball tube I can use for one match, and maybe hit with the next day, before throwing them. Half the balls on the market today, I wouldn't even give to my dog.
mikeler
Moderator
Prince balls have great bounce. I've had some minor problems with the hard court version though. Sometimes I'll hear stuff rattling around inside the ball. The clay court Prince balls are awesome. An old ball in my bag for a month will bounce higher than almost any other ball fresh out of the can.
Any comments on Volkl balls? We used them in Turkey for a tournament...they seemed bigger in diameter than the Dunlop Fort balls (I compared them) and were slow and heavy feeling. The Americans weren't fans of the Volkls (or the slow clay). The Dunlop Fort ball is pretty good. Also, I've played with Gammas, they are horrible, very hard, gave me arm problems!
Lefty78
Professional
3. Dunlop Roland Garros
- These balls are labeled specifically for Roland Garros (French Open). On Dunlop's website they have their own section, seperate from the other Dunlop ball offerings. I do not know if these balls are specifically made for the Roland Garros tournament or if they are restamped Fort Plus balls. Suffice it to say, if you play on clay, you can't go wrong. I know of no US offerings though for this ball.
I get these balls at a local shop in Boca Raton, Florida. They are the best I've ever used on clay. I also don't know if these are designed specifically for RG, but they are indeed the actual balls used in the tourney. One thing to note: They are larger in diameter than Penn and Wilson balls. In Europe, I believe they sell three different models of this line.
Chelsea_Kiwi
Hall of Fame
Is there a difference between these two balls?
http://www.itftennis.com/technical/_assets/images/equipment/canshots/10000382.jpg
http://www.itftennis.com/technical/_assets/images/equipment/canshots/10000381.jpg
Both are apparently official balls of the AO open but surely they only use one of them during the actual tournament?
http://www.itftennis.com/technical/_assets/images/equipment/canshots/10000382.jpg
http://www.itftennis.com/technical/_assets/images/equipment/canshots/10000381.jpg
Both are apparently official balls of the AO open but surely they only use one of them during the actual tournament?
tennisnut16
Rookie
What about Tens balls, they are very similiar to US Open balls, but with more durability.
Also what are the best pressureless balls besides Tretorn?
Also what are the best pressureless balls besides Tretorn?
Sleepstream
Semi-Pro
I think there is a difference between US Open balls used at the tournament and those sold to the public.
I've had a chance to hit with some US Open balls used by a university, and I find they have better bounce, durability, and felt than those purchased at stores.
mtommer
Hall of Fame
At Western Michigan Univ., Eastern Mich U (when they had a team) and U of Mich I know retail cans were used at least some of the time. This was back in the late 90's. I was there at times when the coaches for EMU or U of M came into Cayman (when they were on Washtenaw) and left with four or five cases at a time. I've been in adjacent courts at Western as the team was just coming on to practice. Retail marked cases and packaging in the equipment sheds on court. These are all Div. 1A schools.
imalil2gangsta4u
Hall of Fame
Theres still nothing better than a fresh dunlop.
Teamtomo
Semi-Pro
Chelsea_Kiwi
Hall of Fame
Can anyone here answer my question or does nobody know the answer?
fin-tennis(h)
Rookie
Wilson Tour (Davis Cup ball) just came out with a new package. I think it's the same thing with Aussie Open. Just a guess.
mtommer
Hall of Fame
CK,
I would argue strongly that they are the same ball. It is not uncommon for packaging to change merely to boost sales by "looking" different.
Chelsea_Kiwi
Hall of Fame
Ok thanks for your reply. The only problem is in my country one is $13 and the other $18 for a can of 3??? I think the $18 are the new packaging.
madmanfool
Semi-Pro
I'm from Belgium and this is my sharing:
Dunlop
This is the Dunlop ball around here: Donlup fort (all court)
And here is the new package from recently:
This baby is the real deal. I think they make for like 20 years or something. Everybody plays with these around here. There is a reason it says world's # 1 ball on the box. Great feel and longlivety.
I also want to add this: Dunlop brilliance
This is like a cheaper version, but still the quality of a Dunlop. Great value for money and very well suited for beginners. Takes some time to get used to as they are quite unique.
Babolat
Why aren't these mentioned yet? Babolat makes balls people. And some very good ones i might add.
First: Babolat team
This is like the Dunlop fort of Babolat, but it lasts longer and is a slightly heavier ball. They also play better than the Dunlop when being just out the box. Best Babolat ball for sure.
Dunlop
This is the Dunlop ball around here: Donlup fort (all court)
And here is the new package from recently:
This baby is the real deal. I think they make for like 20 years or something. Everybody plays with these around here. There is a reason it says world's # 1 ball on the box. Great feel and longlivety.
I also want to add this: Dunlop brilliance
This is like a cheaper version, but still the quality of a Dunlop. Great value for money and very well suited for beginners. Takes some time to get used to as they are quite unique.
Babolat
Why aren't these mentioned yet? Babolat makes balls people. And some very good ones i might add.
First: Babolat team
This is like the Dunlop fort of Babolat, but it lasts longer and is a slightly heavier ball. They also play better than the Dunlop when being just out the box. Best Babolat ball for sure.
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madmanfool
Semi-Pro
Second: Babolat VS
Heavier than the team and because of that more longlivety. Also more expensive. Great if you want a ball with which you can play like forever.
Balls i don't like: Tretorn, Slazenger (both too heavy), Wilson (for Grandpa, useless on clay)
Heavier than the team and because of that more longlivety. Also more expensive. Great if you want a ball with which you can play like forever.
Balls i don't like: Tretorn, Slazenger (both too heavy), Wilson (for Grandpa, useless on clay)
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mtommer
Hall of Fame
I am in the US so my personal exposure to ball brands is limited. I'm glad this board has such a diversity of posters. Thank you for providing additional information on other brands like the Babolat balls you posted. If you don't mind, would it be all right if I edited in your information on the Babolat balls into my original guide?
madmanfool
Semi-Pro
Be my guest
atennisrand
Banned
Good thread - sticky it please
TsongaEatingAPineappleLol
Banned
Always play with Penn.
masterxfob
Semi-Pro
i had some students bring pro spirit balls to a group lesson. the felt looked matted and the balls looked to be about 15% smaller. i just threw them away, but do you care to review that one for me?
mtommer
Hall of Fame
Pro Spirit is a generic ball, Tier 3. They are from Target I believe.
darryl_giggs
New User
The Slazengers are heavy when new, making it difficult to impart spin and control. However, when they are heavily used and the fluff is all gone, they become extremely bouncy and difficult to control.
Somewhere between being new and heavily used, the ball feels great! All-in-all, they are tournament balls that should follow the tournament rules regarding usage (i.e. change after 7 or 9 games).
I've played Wilson US Open balls in Asia and in the US itself, and I have to say that they feel very different. In US, these balls are harder and heavier, someone mentioned to me that its akin to hitting rocks. However, back in Asia where I live, the Wilson US Open balls are lively, soft and have just the right bounce for control. Not sure if there are different manufacturing facilities for these balls, which might explain the difference.
All things considered and based on my experiences in the US and in Asia, I find the Wilson Championships the best value-for-money in terms of playability and durability (as compared to all the available models from Penn, Dunlop, Prince, Babolat etc). Basically, if it ain't a tournament, you cannot go wrong with the Wilson Championships. I was picking these balls up at Sports Authority at $1.89 per can and using them both as practice balls and for friendly match play ---- I think the Penn Championships come in a close second for best value-for-money.
This thread is extremely useful for tennis players at any level because many players under-rate the importance of the brand/model/type of ball for their game. I personally think that its just as important as the racket and the strings (equipment-wise).
My $0.02
Somewhere between being new and heavily used, the ball feels great! All-in-all, they are tournament balls that should follow the tournament rules regarding usage (i.e. change after 7 or 9 games).
I've played Wilson US Open balls in Asia and in the US itself, and I have to say that they feel very different. In US, these balls are harder and heavier, someone mentioned to me that its akin to hitting rocks. However, back in Asia where I live, the Wilson US Open balls are lively, soft and have just the right bounce for control. Not sure if there are different manufacturing facilities for these balls, which might explain the difference.
All things considered and based on my experiences in the US and in Asia, I find the Wilson Championships the best value-for-money in terms of playability and durability (as compared to all the available models from Penn, Dunlop, Prince, Babolat etc). Basically, if it ain't a tournament, you cannot go wrong with the Wilson Championships. I was picking these balls up at Sports Authority at $1.89 per can and using them both as practice balls and for friendly match play ---- I think the Penn Championships come in a close second for best value-for-money.
This thread is extremely useful for tennis players at any level because many players under-rate the importance of the brand/model/type of ball for their game. I personally think that its just as important as the racket and the strings (equipment-wise).
My $0.02
PROTENNIS63
Hall of Fame
Just came across this thread. It is a great guide and is a very interesting read.
PROTENNIS63
Hall of Fame
You and your genius posts.
hyperwarrior
Professional
What is Xduty means? Thank you!
brado32003
Banned
This is an awesome thread. Good work mtommer
Virtua Tennis
Semi-Pro
There is a difference I swiped 5 cases from the USOPEN and they don't play like the crap sold in stores.
aphex
Banned
I disagree...if anything, they have TOO much spin in the first few minutes...
btw, i think they are the best balls out there...
