How long do unopened cans of balls last?

[Jackson Heights]

I have about 15 cans of unopened pressurized tennis balls. I wonder how long they will last in my closet before they go flat. I won't be playing for a while. They are all extra duty felt balls made for hard courts - and are Dunlop Championship, Wilson Championship and Penn Championship. My closet shouldn't get too hot, because the temperature here in northern California usually stays under 90. Any tips to extend the life?

 

[dancraig]

I think it depends on the quality of the plastic can seal. I've got some that are two or three years old and the seal is still good. You can tell by squeezing the can and checking for hardness. If the can is hard, it's holding the pressure. I'd use the cans that seem to be losing pressure first, the ones getting soft.

 

[volusiano]

I had some 4 year-old Wilson Titanium cans I opened and the balls were fine. I also had some 2 year-old Penn cans I opened and the balls were not as fresh as brand new, but still good enough and playable. I think if you open them within a couple of years, they should be fine.

 

[A.T.S.]

Yah they should be ok since balls usually lose the most pressure while being played with. It's cool because if you leave them long enough, when you open the lid it will make a hissing sound.

 

[volusiano]

Yah they should be ok since balls usually lose the most pressure while being played with. It's cool because if you leave them long enough, when you open the lid it will make a hissing sound.

Don't they make a hissing sound anyway, regardless of whether they're opened earlier or later?

 

[A.T.S.]

Don't they make a hissing sound anyway, regardless of whether they're opened earlier or later?

lol I mis read the title. Thought it said "opened". Anyways when you open them they make a pop sound lol.

 

[TennezSport]

No worries

They should last at least a couple of years if they do not suffer and drastic changes in tempeture that would effect the pressure in the can.

TennezSport

 

[gwrtheyrn]

A couple weeks ago, I opened up a can that I didn't know the age of, so I looked inside for any clues...my only clue was a piece of paper with the copyright date of 2000...(Probably not that old, but it's at least 4 years old). The can was still pressurized. The balls (Wilson Matchpoints, I believe) played fine, but from me, that means nothing, since I play with dead balls 90% of the time....

 

[A.T.S.]

A couple weeks ago, I opened up a can that I didn't know the age of, so I looked inside for any clues...my only clue was a piece of paper with the copyright date of 2000...(Probably not that old, but it's at least 4 years old). The can was still pressurized. The balls (Wilson Matchpoints, I believe) played fine, but from me, that means nothing, since I play with dead balls 90% of the time....

Same here. I spent alot of money on rackets and strings and I forgot to buy balls. Was broke until the next pay check.LOL

 

[gwrtheyrn]

I haven't spent much money on tennis equipment, so it's not like I couldn't if I wanted (My racquet was my older brothers, but it had to be restrung/gripped. So, ~30 for that + 70 dollars for tennis uniforms: 2 prince shirts+1 pair reversible shorts)

I kind of don't like to play with new balls...My coach brought out a bunch of new US Opens one practice, and my shots were all going long :-(...and thus is what happens when you've only played with new balls twice

 

[Supernatural_Serve]

I kind of don't like to play with new balls...My coach brought out a bunch of new US Opens one practice, and my shots were all going long :-(...and thus is what happens when you've only played with new balls twice

This happens to a lot of people. Take lessons for hours each week, hitting dead "club balls" in the hopper, then we show up at a tournament and our opponents balls are all bouncing higher than we are used to, and ours are going long.

You want to be careful grooving your shots with dead balls.

If you want to play matches, and tournaments, you have to hit with new balls regularly or you won't be ready.

There are ways to address this in other ways, but wouldn't be ethical.