Heavier or lighter balls for rally practice?

[Fintft]

Hi,

What balls would you prefer for rallying on hard courts? The heavier Slazenger (Wimbledon) or the lighter Dunlop fort?

My friend who flicks his 2HBH and doesn’t have a penetrating FH (angled TS balls are his thing), favours the lighter Dunlop fort.

I’m biased towards the Slazenger myself (unless I’m facing a really hard hitter), b/c:
They usually don’t come back into my side of the court with any kind of whoomph from partners like my friend, who doesn’t have a full swing.
But I have to admit that the lighter balls can be more fun.

I definitely prefer the Dunlop Fort Clay balls over Slazenger’s on clay…

 

[Bender]

I don't like the Wimbledon balls only because they're unusable after about a set. Fresh out of the can, they're marvellous.

 

[Fintft]

I don't like the Wimbledon balls only because they're unusable after about a set. Fresh out of the can, they're marvellous.

It seems that the latest version the one with the "Yellow" ball on it is worse than the version from two years ago (that had only "white' balls on the purple can)....

 

[Dartagnan64]

I never use expensive balls on hard courts. Fuzz wears off way to fast.

 

[esgee48]

Prefer lighter balls. If you can control light balls in practice, it will be easier to control heavier balls in matches.

 

[Fxanimator1]

I use Pro-Penn extra duty, they seem to hold up better than most that I've tried.

 

[Dartagnan64]

ProPenn's are what our club uses for leagues. They definitely are a decent hard court ball. I still use my 2 dollar Costco Penn's for rallying on hard courts. But for matches I do like the ProPenns.

 

[RajS]

I like to practice with slightly slower balls which are not too heavy, like the Penn ATP heavy duty balls. It gives me more time to concentrate on some good things, like watching the ball closely at the bounce and at contact, and being forced to move to the ball rather than waiting for it. The rallies are longer which is good, and these balls also seem to last longer. One of my buddies brings ProPenn balls, and they are not bad at all in this respect.

 

[Bobby Jr]

Wilson Australian Open balls are top notch for hard court use - they're better in every way than balls like Wilson US Opens or Penn ATP. They hold their felt miles longer than those and their bounce too.

 

[Fxanimator1]

ProPenn's are what our club uses for leagues. They definitely are a decent hard court ball. I still use my 2 dollar Costco Penn's for rallying on hard courts. But for matches I do like the ProPenns.

What I've found is that, when I'm done playing with them, they hold up enough to throw into a basket and use them for serving or ball machine. Since they seem to last 4 times longer, they are worth the money for me.
...incidentally, I have one more post and I'm at 1000.

 

[moonballs]

If cost is no issue i like regular duty balls on outdoor hard court. Extra duty balls are heavier and my arm can feel the difference.

 

[Bender]

It seems that the latest version the one with the "Yellow" ball on it is worse than the version from two years ago (that had only "white' balls on the purple can)....

Yikes, they've changed it?

That ball was fly (like literally--I've hit quite a few over the fences over the years).

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Do you live in a "Green and Pleasant Land"? Slazenger (Wimbledon) balls are not all that common in the US. Dunlop Fort balls are even less common. Championship and Gran Prix balls from Dunlop are more common here.

Note that "light" and "heavy" tennis balls may not actually weigh much different, if at all. Most official tennis balls fall in a fairly narrow range of weights => 56 to 59.4 grams. That is about a 5% difference, I believe. The perceived weight of a tennis ball has more to do with how it feels on the racket rather than its actual weight/mass. Differences in feel are often related to the amount of felt (standard or extra duty), the stiffness of the rubber and the internal pressure of the ball. Try actually weight a light ball vs a heavy ball and see if the weight really corresponds to your perception of the weight.

The Wimbledon ball that I've seen might be extra duty felt -- but not certain of this. I noticed that there are quite a few different version of Dunlop Fort balls. Their Clay ball is undoubtedly a regular (standard) duty ball whereas the All Court or Elite ball might be extra-duty balls. There are probably other differences between the 5 types of Dunlop Fort balls I've seen listed. Some may "feel" heavier than others.

It seems that the latest version the one with the "Yellow" ball on it is worse than the version from two years ago (that had only "white' balls on the purple can)....

I recall that Slazenenger came out with a limited edition super-white 100 year anniversary ball in 2002 (I think). Did they release a white ball again more recently (or is it always available in your area)? I loved the White Wimbledon balls as well as the Ultra-Vis "Yellow" Wimbledon balls that I've tried. How is the latter now inferior?

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

^ Just noticed that TW sells the Slaz Wimbledon balls. They also carry 2 versions of the Dunlop Fort balls. Other online sources in the US carry these as well but they are not commonly seen in tennis pro shops or other sports shops in the US (or at least in Northern California).

Wilson Australian Open balls are top notch for hard court use - they're better in every way than balls like Wilson US Opens or Penn ATP. They hold their felt miles longer than those and their bounce too.

Not seen Wilson AO balls at all in the US -- online, in stores or in tennis shops.

Not used the ProPenn Marathon (extra duty) balls very much for comparison to other balls. The balls that I've used that maintain pressure, bounce and felt far longer than any other pressurized balls are Prince Tour (extra duty) balls. They rival pressureless balls for durability -- they may even exceed many of them.

 

[Fintft]

No I live in Canda and drive to US (just 80kms, but I actually go more like 250-300kms to hike at Lake Placid) to ge the balls I order from TW (or similar stores).
It is too risky to buy Slazenger balls in Canada as what they have in stock here the model from 3 years ago (purple can).
I bought some Dunlop Forts in Canada (SportingLife) and they seemed old outside on clay, but last week indoor they seemed okeish.

I totally agree with you about the difference not being in the mass, but the way they feel/bounce + how they last. I tried so simplify the survey for all practically purposes, but when talking to you, I should know better You put it very well:

"Differences in feel are often related to the amount of felt (standard or extra duty), the stiffness of the rubber and the internal pressure of the ball, influence heavy our perception of the weight."

About the "yellow" ball depicted on the Slazenger Wimbledon Ultra-Vis can of...."yellow" balls as shown here:

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Sla...an_Tennis_Ball_Case/descpageDUNLOP-SWB15.html

That picture used to be "white" on the can (the balls were still yellow), two summers ago. And those balls, seemed to have longer lasting internal pressure, than the current model (as I've witnessed last week, when I finished them and starting the newer case with the "yellow" picture).
The Dunlop Clay Fort balls that I've bought at the same time last summer, seemed even better on clay (har-tru) than either Slaze
nger Wimbledon balls, but have yet to try them indoor (I will, this week).

Do you live in a "Green and Pleasant Land"? Slazenger (Wimbledon) balls are not all that common in the US. Dunlop Fort balls are even less common. Championship and Gran Prix balls from Dunlop are more common here.

Note that "light" and "heavy" tennis balls may not actually weigh much different, if at all. Most official tennis balls fall in a fairly narrow range of weights => 56 to 59.4 grams. That is about a 5% difference, I believe. The perceived weight of a tennis ball has more to do with how it feels on the racket rather than its actual weight/mass. Differences in feel are often related to the amount of felt (standard or extra duty), the stiffness of the rubber and the internal pressure of the ball. Try actually weight a light ball vs a heavy ball and see if the weight really corresponds to your perception of the weight.

The Wimbledon ball that I've seen might be extra duty felt -- but not certain of this. I noticed that there are quite a few different version of Dunlop Fort balls. Their Clay ball is undoubtedly a regular (standard) duty ball whereas the All Court or Elite ball might be extra-duty balls. There are probably other differences between the 5 types of Dunlop Fort balls I've seen listed. Some may "feel" heavier than others.



I recall that Slazenenger came out with a limited edition super-white 100 year anniversary ball in 2002 (I think). Did they release a white ball again more recently (or is it always available in your area)? I loved the White Wimbledon balls as well as the Ultra-Vis "Yellow" Wimbledon balls that I've tried. How is the latter now inferior?

 

[Fintft]

Yikes, they've changed it?

That ball was fly (like literally--I've hit quite a few over the fences over the years).

Funny you say that, some of my partners dread having them used against them as well (on hard courts)

 

[Fintft]

Whatever my next match is with I guess? I don't give it much thought though, just happy to use new balls tbh.

Yeah, but:

a) Can't open new cans of balls each time.
b) Even new, there might be differences in terms of how the balls feel, as per post #13.

 

[Bobby Jr]

Not seen Wilson AO balls at all in the US -- online, in stores or in tennis shops.

Yeah, they seem to only be available in Aussie and parts of SE Asia (Thailand etc). I wonder why that is.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Yeah, they seem to only be available in Aussie and parts of SE Asia (Thailand etc). I wonder why that is.

Is the Wilson AO ball an extra duty ball? How do they compare to a comparable Wilson USO balls? The later comes in both regular and extra duty. Have heard ppl claim that the AO ball is a noticeably slower ball. Somewhat more air drag due to extra felt. One review indicated that the ball contained a titanium powder to slow it down a bit. I have also heard claims that the mass and diameter are slightly larger. While some of these claims might be true, not certain if they all are.

 

[Bobby Jr]

Is the Wilson AO ball an extra duty ball? How do they compare to a comparable Wilson USO balls? The later comes in both regular and extra duty. Have heard ppl claim that the AO ball is a noticeably slower ball. Somewhat more air drag due to extra felt. One review indicated that the ball contained a titanium powder to slow it down a bit. I have also heard claims that the mass and diameter are slightly larger...

They're extra duty. They are slightly heavier and larger than the comparable US Open balls but have much longer lasting felt and pressure. They aren't as fast as US Open ones at but seem to hit their sweet spot after about half an hour.

If I play on a hard court the US Open balls last about an hour before they are completely useless and lost half their felt and tons of the bounce. The Aussie Open ones will still be fine for an hour longer and then will usually be fine for another casual hit.

I swear they used to be more durable (poly strings probably made a difference to ball durability) but they're still a great competition-quality ball.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

... If I play on a hard court the US Open balls last about an hour before they are completely useless and lost half their felt and tons of the bounce. The Aussie Open ones will still be fine for an hour longer and then will usually be fine for another casual hit...

Have had that experience with Championship balls from Wilson and Penn but not with the US Open (extra duty) balls (on most hard courts). Perhaps you've used the faster regular duty version of the USO ball. It is also possible that that hard courts you play on are more abrasive (and slower) than most hard courts in my area. I have observed that all balls wear out noticeably quicker on slower/abrasive courts around here.

Note the color scheme difference between extra duty and the faster regular duty USO balls

http://iplayatlanta.com/oscommerce2/images/11wilsonusopenregulardutytennisballs.jpg

... I swear they used to be more durable (poly strings probably made a difference to ball durability) but they're still a great competition-quality ball.

Perhaps the courts that you frequent have been made more abrasive since when they were last resurfaced. Do they seem a bit slower?

 

[Bobby Jr]

Have had that experience with Championship balls from Wilson and Penn but not with the US Open (extra duty) balls (on most hard courts). Perhaps you've used the faster regular duty version of the USO ball.

They US Open balls I used are always extra duty. They have rubbish durability, rivaling the Penn ATP balls (although the Wilson's at least have uniform, consistent bounce when new - even the tour players complained about the Penns at IW last year).

It is also possible that that hard courts you play on are more abrasive (and slower) that most hard courts in my area. I have observed that all balls wear out noticeably quicker on slower/abrasive courts around here.

They're Aussie Open spec Plexicusion which were repainted a year ago. They were insanely slow then but have sped up a fair bit since. That said, they're still quite abrasive.

 

[Rino]

Hi,

What balls would you prefer for rallying on hard courts? The heavier Slazenger (Wimbledon) or the lighter Dunlop fort?

My friend who flicks his 2HBH and doesn’t have a penetrating FH (angled TS balls are his thing), favours the lighter Dunlop fort.

I’m biased towards the Slazenger myself (unless I’m facing a really hard hitter), b/c:
They usually don’t come back into my side of the court with any kind of whoomph from partners like my friend, who doesn’t have a full swing.
But I have to admit that the lighter balls can be more fun.

I definitely prefer the Dunlop Fort Clay balls over Slazenger’s on clay…

I prefer rallying with the type of balls that are going to be used in my next match.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

They US Open balls I used are always extra duty. They have rubbish durability, rivaling the Penn ATP balls (although the Wilson's at least have uniform, consistent bounce when new - even the tour players complained about the Penns at IW last year).

They're Aussie Open spec Plexicusion which were repainted a year ago. They were insanely slow then but have sped up a fair bit since. That said, they're still quite abrasive.

Perhaps the Wilson and Penn balls fare better on courts that are faster/smoother. Have not noticed this durability problem with the USO or ATP balls on courts in this area. However, I have heard from a shop owner that cases of balls that are delivered by UPS tend to have more cans that have lost some compression than those delivered by FedEx.

I have noticed that the extra duty USO balls tend to fluff up quite a bit whenever we play with guys who hit a lot of fast, low-trajectory skidding shots (flat or with underspin). When these guys complain about the balls fluffing up, we tell them that it only happens when they are on the court.

According to the USA Today article that you linked, the ATP balls were a problem in 2015 but not previously (according to Nadal). Perhaps it was a batch problem. It is possible the specs or quality control has changed or is more variable since the manufacturing of Penn/Head balls moved from the US (Arizona) to China.