hitting a wet ball

[Deleted member 23235]

rained during the day by me, puddles everywhere, but i was itching to hit, so i went to hit serves...
as expected the balls got wet, which was a bit of a bonus, since it was so hot/humid (ie. i'd get sprayed every time i hit a serve)
made me think, i wonder if there's benefit to hitting a wet heavy ball (ie. forcing me to hit through more vs. overly brushy, as well as see the spin by the shape of the spray)...

then found this vid (2:49):

while i won't actively bring out a bucket of water... i will probably be more motivated to (solo) practice even immediately after a rain.

anyone do this intentionally?

 

[MotoboXer]

Nadal hits a wet ball every serve .

 

[BallBag]

I did that like a week ago. The spray off the ball shows the spin direction which is neat.

 

[Mack-2]

Not sure. I always thought the wet ball may have more of an impact on the elbow/shoulder. At least I feel more of a strain when I hit one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[spaceman_spiff]

Living in England, I often play matches on wet carpet courts even when the rain has stopped, which means I often play with wet balls.

After playing in wet conditions a lot, what happens is you end up hitting flatter shots, including even on second serves, and more drop shots. When you do that a lot, then you end up playing a game that is less effective on a dry court with dry balls, especially hard courts on a warm day.

Also, hitting at match speeds, especially serving, with wet balls leads to more injuries, since you have to swing harder to get the same amount of power/spin, and the shock at impact is bigger since the balls are heavier.

I really don't recommend it.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

Not sure. I always thought the wet ball may have more of an impact on the elbow/shoulder. At least I feel more of a strain when I hit one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

i think it does, if you're doing it wrong.
if you're throwing the racquet at the contact, and letting the racquet do the work, i feel nothing... but if i'm arming the ball, or hitting late (ie. i haven't yet gotten to the "throw" the racquet phase), then i feel it.

 

[HuusHould]

I think it does force you to hit through the ball more. You may be right that the impact through the joints is amplified if you dont use your whole body, but I think its still higher with a wet ball with correct technique. I personally wouldnt risk it, but Im a bit wrist and arm injury prone. But they seem like quite high level players in the video, Im guessing the coach knows what hes doing!

 

[HuusHould]

Brushing too much with wet or flat balls tends to result in dropping the ball too short.

 

[Chadillac]

Bad for arm, bad for racket.

You can get a basket of Tretorns, i was talking with a lady from ireland and thats what they use since it rains so much there.

I think the felt is less absorbant or something, pressureless makes them last forever.

 

[NuBas]

I think it does force you to hit through the ball more.

Maaybe but the game is played using dry balls so not sure if just for show or actually does anything.

 

[mcs1970]

Hitting a bucket of wet balls vs playing immediately after a rain are two different things. With the latter you've to make sure you don't slip and hurt yourself badly.

 

[LGQ7]

To dry balls, I put them in the oven, on top of aluminum foil, at 100° F until dry, which is within an hour.

 

[zaph]

I don't see any advantage to doing this, another Brit, so I have often played on wet courts.

You can see the spin as the water flies off, but it is like trying to play using rocks. Just play in the dry.

 

[ChaelAZ]

...anyone do this intentionally?

Took my son out for training once and it was super wet after raining. Ended up making a very popular video on IG for some reason, but while the weight of the ball was good for training, the slippery surface was heck to deal with.

See if this works

Wet hit

 

[bxr]

I think the hardest part to deal with wet balls is receiving big serves. Returning big serves with wet balls is more difficult, the energy level can be much much more, assuming racquet head acceleration maintain at similar level (you tend to hit harder with wet balls to keep the same ball path across the net into the service box), the wet ball is twice as heavy, force carried by the ball is almost doubled (speed may measure slightly slower due to increased weight), the pace of the incoming wet ball is a lot harder to deal with. (imagine throwing a tennis ball vs a rock to a window, obviously impact is quite different).
Sometimes it is hard to avoid playing wet balls in a tournament environment/rain delay.
Are there tricks or adjustment dealing with wet balls so it doesn't put too much impact on the arm and wrist and the same time being able to neutralise the "pace"? heavier racquet/low tension string/blocked return/ take it early...

 

[Dondon]

Nadal won cos he uses wet balls?

 

[Wise one]

I have my balls dry-cleaned.

 

[tennishabit]

rained during the day by me, puddles everywhere, but i was itching to hit, so i went to hit serves...
as expected the balls got wet, which was a bit of a bonus, since it was so hot/humid (ie. i'd get sprayed every time i hit a serve)
made me think, i wonder if there's benefit to hitting a wet heavy ball (ie. forcing me to hit through more vs. overly brushy, as well as see the spin by the shape of the spray)...

then found this vid (2:49):

while i won't actively bring out a bucket of water... i will probably be more motivated to (solo) practice even immediately after a rain.

anyone do this intentionally?

bad for the string........life expectancy halved as the wet balls r much heavier n the string sank into the fur deeper. unless u can restringing by urself but still no fun to restring the rkts, only hitting does....................

 

[tennishabit]

Nadal hits a wet ball every serve .

wet bull likes wet ball:?)))..........................