A guide to tennis balls - what you WANT to know!

My Faves

I bought a ball hopper and wanted to fill it with a ball that was A) Durable and B) High Performance. I bought a lot of the top tier balls and hit them all. Here's what I found in my highly-unscientific tests:

- Wilson U.S. Open: Dull color, fluffed up quicker than all other balls I tested. My least favorite of those tested.

- ProPenn: Fluffed up quick, a bit brighter than the Wilson. Felt heavy on impact.

- Gamma ProTour (Heavy Duty): Loved them. Brightest ball. Did not fluff up much at all. Very lively, jumped off my racquet (filled with nitrogen). Lots of black and red paint left on my strings, but not a big deal.

- Slazenger Wimbledon: Second favorite. Bright, durable, perfect weight. A close second to the Gammas.

My ball hopper is filled with mostly Gamma ProTours and some of the Slazengers. I hit about 1,000 serves a week with them and they feel still have great bounce, color and minimal fluff after a couple of months. Gammas feel like they have a little extra pace to them, which is good and bad (control). At about $1/ball price is steep, but with the durability they've shown I'm getting my money's worth. You also won't find them everywhere, so either need to buy online or shop around (Gammas found at PGA Superstore, Slazenger Wimbledon's at Dick's Sporting Goods).
 
I've bought a few cans of the Slazenger Wimbledon balls and am probably not getting them again. They are good out of the can but they really lose their felt quickly. I only got a quarter or less of the playing time out of them versus Dunlop grand prix or Penn ATP balls. Definitely not worth it, especially when they cost more. I didn't find that they played any better when they were new either. I have still yet to find a ball I like more than Penn ATPs.
 
First off, just wanted to say I love this thread, and really appreciate the effort mtommer put into compiling it. Great primer for anyone new to tennis balls and overwhelmed by the selection out there.

I just wanted to say though that I disagree with one tiny part of it. In mtommer's description of the Penns, he says:

"Both the ProPenn and the Penn ATP balls are interchangeable with Wilson US Open balls as far as similar playability goes. They are nearly identical in almost every respect including bounce longevity, felt characteristics, and feel."

Having played the ATP's and the Wilson US Opens extensively, I think they're quite different actually in almost every respect. In my experience, the ATP's last slightly longer than the US Opens, and also have a noticeably "heavier" and more "solid" feel to them. The US Opens are good, but they feel lighter, "fluffier", and tend to sail more, particularly when brand new out of the can. If given a choice I would play with the ATPs exclusively (I have to play with the US Opens though because they're the only ones locally available to me).
 
Just got a few more cans of Wilson US Open balls and wow do they suck. I don't know if I got a few bad cans but after only an hour of play they all look and feel like they've been played for 10+ hours. I have Dunlop Grand Prix balls that have been used for 5 hours and put through my machine a few times that look and feel better. I have Penn ATP balls that are 6 months old that bounce the same. Even the Slazenger Wimbledon balls that I don't think last that long are much better. Will not be buying these again.
 
Pwned said:
Just got a few more cans of Wilson US Open balls and wow do they suck. I don't know if I got a few bad cans but after only an hour of play they all look and feel like they've been played for 10+ hours. I have Dunlop Grand Prix balls that have been used for 5 hours and put through my machine a few times that look and feel better. I have Penn ATP balls that are 6 months old that bounce the same. Even the Slazenger Wimbledon balls that I don't think last that long are much better. Will not be buying these again.
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I stopped playing tournaments at the club closest to me because they used these balls for all their tournaments. I'll play with anything else, but those US Open balls get beat up during the warm up.
 
I choose Dunlop whenever I play. I prefer the maximum durability along with the Durafelt technology in a ball that lasts the longest.
 
I bought ProPenn for a long time, but the Dunlops last a lot longer for me. It's not even close. We can kill a can of ProPenn in 1.5 hours while the Dunlops can last for over 3. (hardcourt). I think Dunlops are good if you hit hard with a lot of topspin.
 
Power Player said:
I bought ProPenn for a long time, but the Dunlops last a lot longer for me. It's not even close. We can kill a can of ProPenn in 1.5 hours while the Dunlops can last for over 3. (hardcourt). I think Dunlops are good if you hit hard with a lot of topspin.
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I played in my singles league earlier this week. After losing a long pro set 9-7, the new ProPenns we started with were not even worth keeping for practice balls afterwards. We both hit hard, but I was amazed at their lack of durability. A couple of them even had the ink completely gone.
 
Just used some Wilson Championship balls and holy cow were they soft. Very different coming from Dunlop Grand Prix balls. Could squeeze them much more too. Not sure if it's a bad thing. Bought a couple more cans to experiment with.
 
Penn Championships and Wilson Titaniums should be tier 3 imo. They sure play like them. Not much bounce or durability. The Dunlop and Wilson Championships are much better.
 
I just wanted to add my appreciation for the time and effort it took to make this thread up; thank you so very much!(I love the Slazenger Wimbledon, BTW.)
 
Almost everyone uses the Penn or Wilson Championship balls. I use Penn Championship because they're cheap, availible, and at COSTCO!
 
Pwned said:
Just used some Wilson Championship balls and holy cow were they soft. Very different coming from Dunlop Grand Prix balls. Could squeeze them much more too. Not sure if it's a bad thing. Bought a couple more cans to experiment with.
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That is a bad thing. It means they don't bounce! Especially when they get fuzzed up after the first few games.
 
Just out of curiousity, Which are the better ball. Dunlop GP XD or Champ XD. I playy on Hardcourt as that's all I have around here. I've played with Penn Championship my whole life I would say. Costco sells them cheap so most players I hit with use them. I have to say I don't like them too much. They courts are really dusty so they pick up all that junk and that just kills the fuzz. The fuzz itself tends to start gettting to flat which to me then translatse to no grip. They also die pretty fast. I'd say the last a set or two before you notice the drop in playability.
I would like a ball that last longer than these and the felt don't get matted down as easily. ANy info would be great as I would like to get me a case.
 
Storm_Kyori said:
Just out of curiousity, Which are the better ball. Dunlop GP XD or Champ XD. I playy on Hardcourt as that's all I have around here. I've played with Penn Championship my whole life I would say. Costco sells them cheap so most players I hit with use them. I have to say I don't like them too much. They courts are really dusty so they pick up all that junk and that just kills the fuzz. The fuzz itself tends to start gettting to flat which to me then translatse to no grip. They also die pretty fast. I'd say the last a set or two before you notice the drop in playability.
I would like a ball that last longer than these and the felt don't get matted down as easily. ANy info would be great as I would like to get me a case.
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Get the Grand Prix's---they're only 25 cents more per can than the Championships, which come in 2nd place. Too bad we Californians have to pay that big sales tax, but that's the way the ball bounces....
 
I was looking around the Sports Authority in my area and was wondering what the better bang for buck balls were: $2.99 a can of Head ATP/No.1 or $13.99 for 4 cans of Wilson US Opens. I'm pretty sure I'm off a bit on the prices, the shelf labeling wasn't very good. Perhaps if I searched around online I can find some Grand Prixs for cheap.
 
All I need to know about tennis balls?

Penn/Head balls made in the United States. Our economy is in the crapper. Buying American made balls is the least I can do to make an individual contribution to helping American workers keep their jobs, and to support our economy.

At this time, I wouldn't consider buying anything else. If you are a citizen of the USA, I would hope you would do the same.
 
Head closed down the last Tennis ball factory in the US located in Arizona a couple of years ago. There are still some stock of US made Penn/Head balls, but going fast. I always look at the label carefully to see where they are made.

As for buying American, it's a novel idea, but what if the factory is no longer operating in the US or has moved overseas? Also are you truly saving a job of an American, or putting more money into the pockets of a European Company?
 
Lakers4Life said:
Head closed down the last Tennis ball factory in the US located in Arizona a couple of years ago. There are still some stock of US made Penn/Head balls, but going fast. I always look at the label carefully to see where they are made.
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I'm confused I checked every Penn can I could find, and they all said "made in China."

However, their web page says they are the only ball made in the USA: http://www.pennracquet.com/Pro_Penn_Press Release.pdf
 
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Tankari said:
I was looking around the Sports Authority in my area and was wondering what the better bang for buck balls were: $2.99 a can of Head ATP/No.1 or $13.99 for 4 cans of Wilson US Opens. I'm pretty sure I'm off a bit on the prices, the shelf labeling wasn't very good. Perhaps if I searched around online I can find some Grand Prixs for cheap.
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Don't get those, they play awful imho. I would get the US Opens. Just got me a case of GP's. I've played with them only once and I couldn't really judge them properly. Now that I'll be able to see if they get my seal of approval.
 
No more........

Lakers4Life said:
That may be an old press release. Recently I found a 4 ball can of HEAD ATP balls, made in the US. All the other Penn/Head brand 3 ball cans I've seen in the stores are made in China.
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I spoke to the HEAD rep just last month about this issue of American made balls and he confirmed No More made in America. HEAD closed it's factory in Az last year and the last shipments were made earlier this year. The only thing left in Az is a small admin office to coordinate shipping from China.

The good thing about this is that HEAD actually built their own plant to their standards to make sure that the balls would still have the same quality. They held on to the Az plant as long as they could, but rising costs forced them to follow all of the other companies.

Cheers, TennezSport :cool:
 
To add to this topic, operating costs in the US are obviously immensely higher than sourcing from overseas for a mass produced item. However if we consider the capital these companies are saving (often to stay competitive), it is comforting to know that the value trickles down through R&D and manufacturing engineering to further improve the technology and product we ultimtely use.

As far a prices, I am still a major proponent of mail ordering balls with reasonable shipping rates and no sales tax.

TennezSport said:
I spoke to the HEAD rep just last month about this issue of American made balls and he confirmed No More made in America. HEAD closed it's factory in Az last year and the last shipments were made earlier this year. The only thing left in Az is a small admin office to coordinate shipping from China.

The good thing about this is that HEAD actually built their own plant to their standards to make sure that the balls would still have the same quality. They held on to the Az plant as long as they could, but rising costs forced them to follow all of the other companies.

Cheers, TennezSport :cool:
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AR15 said:
At this time, I wouldn't consider buying anything else. If you are a citizen of the USA, I would hope you would do the same.
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I am not a citizen of the USA, but I do live in the USA, and I strongly believe that when the difference is not that critical/noticeable it makes perfect sense to support your local economy (it just pays back).

The only U.S. company that profits from selling tennis balls and pays taxes in the U.S. is Wilson. I am playing with Wilson U.S. Open and I am fully satisfied with their quality.
 
ManuGinobili said:
It also seems that Dunlop has completely revamped their entire balls production (or at least slapped on different labels)
http://www.abzorber.org/Dunlop-Tennis/Products/BALLS--ACCESSORIES/
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Hmmm....it does indeed. I think I'll wait awhile to see what happens to US versions of their balls. If they also change I'll have to update to the new "paintjob". The keys to telling which ball is which probably lies in the descriptions of the technologies the balls claim. The tech is probably called the same thing as the old but I haven't checked the new site specs yet. Thanks for the heads up.
 
siata94 said:
I've played w/ the Dunlop Absorber recently and also agree. They are typical of Dunlop, hard and heavy but with good durability.
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Are you referring to the "A-Player Elite" balls available in the US?

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunlop_A-Player_Tennis_Balls_24_Can_Case/descpageDUNLOP-DAPLAY3.html

I usually play with Dunlop Grand Prix, the covers are more durable than most. I was hoping the A-Players would be a little less hard per their advertising claims.

BTW, to avoid confusion, I think Dunlop uses different names for their balls depending on what country you're in.
 
brackj said:
Should you use regular balls or pressureless when using a ball machine?
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I use a mix but the regular balls will definitely not last long. The reason I use SOME regular balls is to keep me on my toes - as they tend to come out a bit erratically. During ea iteration, some balls dont make it across the net... when I look, they are almost always the regular balls. Point being, you can but unless you want to buy a LOT of balls on a very regular basis, they arent going to hold up.
 
mtommer said:
C. Prince

2. Dunlop Fort Plus/ (not sure whether the plain (no plus) Fort equals Championship or not)
- These are simply the Grand Prix ball with different packaging for outside of the US (and other areas?).
Fort-plus.jpg
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I wanted to add that these balls are realatively small, IMO they are extremely good for serving and other types of big hitting. These balls are made for clay, so you need to consider that before you purchase these ball.

You want to pick not the "best" ball, rather you want to pick the right ball for the right surface and playing conditions.

You also need to consider the altitude and humidity of where you live, balls move a heck of a lot faster off hard courts, high altitude, and dry climates.

Futher I would like to add that balls that are good for practice are not necessarily good for games and vice versa. The point of practice is to be able to maintain rallies and effective serving. If you practice with a ball that gives you a speed advantage you are going to be in for a big suprize when you play a game with slower balls. Your advantage is taken away.


So if you play on slow courts, low altitude, and with high humidity you may consider a faster ball. But the most important part is that you want to be practicing on the same courts and with the same balls that you will be competing with.
 
I am not impressed with the Grand Prix balls though Dunlop revamped their lines so who knows what is what. I could have gotten a bad case but the felt doesn't last more than an hour or two of heavy hitting.

The regular championship balls last longer. Maybe I got a bad case so I am willing to give them another shot.

Has anyone played with the Dunlop A player ones?
 
Just thought I'd bump this and let people know (if it hasn't been mentioned) that Dick's Sporting Goods carries Slazenger Wimbledon balls in the purple can. Very good balls.
 
I have recently played some with the penn court 1 balls and it has been a big surprise. They feel quite good and have outstanding durability. Much more durable than any other ball I have played with. And I have played with pretty much everything.
 
Has anyone had any problems with the layer of felt on slazenger opens ripping off (with some rubber n all) where they are glued at the 'lines'?
 
retrograde said:
Are you referring to the "A-Player Elite" balls available in the US?

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunlop_A-Player_Tennis_Balls_24_Can_Case/descpageDUNLOP-DAPLAY3.html

I usually play with Dunlop Grand Prix, the covers are more durable than most. I was hoping the A-Players would be a little less hard per their advertising claims.

BTW, to avoid confusion, I think Dunlop uses different names for their balls depending on what country you're in.
Click to expand...


Have you actually use the A players? I tried the Grand Prix and although they are better than Penn, the covers started splitting and the felt comes out fairly quick leading to some weird curveballs when hit although they do keep their bounce.
 
AirK said:
Has anyone had any problems with the layer of felt on slazenger opens ripping off (with some rubber n all) where they are glued at the 'lines'?
Click to expand...

Have not yet. Did have one go flat within 5-10 minutes today but that was the first time that has happened.
 
wilson AO vs US Open

Last year when I was in Australia I used Wilson AO for play on synthetic grass and hard court. To me they looked durable and with just the right amount of weight. Also they seemed durable. However did not have the chance to test them on clay.
Now back in Romania, I played US Open balls and they felt horrible after several games on clay.
Until now I would say Dunlop Fort comes first on clay, and then Roland Garros (which are too heavy to my taste)
Did anyone else notice this difference ? If yes please post because I am about to finish my current batch of balls and need to by a new one.
Also they say Tecnifibre x one are great, but did anyone played with it?
Is it worthy considering buying something different from Dunlop on clay?
tx,
andrei
 
I have played with Tecnifibre X-One and can say with some certainty that it's one of the worst balls out there in terms of durability. The balls were completely gone within 3 sets. They are okay (good bounce and feel) but don't last.
 
5th Element said:
I have played with Tecnifibre X-One and can say with some certainty that it's one of the worst balls out there in terms of durability. The balls were completely gone within 3 sets. They are okay (good bounce and feel) but don't last.
Click to expand...

Which balls last 3 sets? :shock:
 
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