How many balls do you use?

[tennisee]

Hmm, do you work for Slazenger?

Yep, Slazenger, Dunlop, Wilson and I've recently started moonlighting for Babolat. I've managed to keep them all round $10 a can in Aust. I could tell you how I did it - but then I'd have to kill you.

 

[prostaff junkie]

In Europe balls are expensive, and so we tend to try to make them last for as long as possible. From what I've read on these boards, it seems that in the US it is the norm to open a new can more or less every time you play, and in some cases every set.

Now, in Europe (or at least in the UK), balls are commonly sold in cans of 4 and so that is what I've always been accustomed to playing with. I'm getting close to the end of my current box (only 6 cans left...probably won't last much past April ;-)), and it occurred to me that I might be better off buying tubes with only 3 balls in them with the intention of opening new ones more often. It would probably take some conditioning of my playing partners, but could prove beneficial.

Just wondering if this is how you already do things in the US, or whether balls are just so cheap that you play with 4 (or more) every time.

Hi Dags,

One word.... s p o r t s d i r e c t . c o m

Dunlop Fort £3 per tin of 4 balls.

If you're in Newcastle you'll probably avoid this shop, but otherwise they're the cheapest around.

We use these at my club for social play and league matches.

You'll prob get 6 sets out of them before they've had it, but they are good VFM.

Cheers,

Junkie.

 

[tennisee]

Hmm, do you work for Slazenger?

Yep, Slazenger, Dunlop, Wilson and I've recently started moonlighting for Babolat. I've managed to keep them all round $10 a can in Aust. I could tell you how I did it - but then I'd have to kill you.

 

[Dags]

Hi Dags,

One word.... s p o r t s d i r e c t . c o m

Dunlop Fort £3 per tin of 4 balls.

If you're in Newcastle you'll probably avoid this shop, but otherwise they're the cheapest around.

We use these at my club for social play and league matches.

You'll prob get 6 sets out of them before they've had it, but they are good VFM.

Cheers,

Junkie.

Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately I used Dunlop Forts for a while, and they're one of my least favourite balls. They feel heavy than others, and that only gets worse as they're used.

That's right, I want value for money but am picky with it. A losing battle, I'm sure.

 

[Dags]

Bear in mind that US prices are quoted exclusive of sales tax, whereas European prices include VAT. The effect of sales tax varies according to which state you live in and you can often avoid it by ordering online.

However, the difference in taxes could easily explain some of the price differences we see. The Euro price quoted in the above post assumes UK VAT rates, by the looks of it. That is currently 17.5% The VAT content of the €180.50 price for the Babolat is €26.88, giving a price of €153.62 without VAT, or $202.40. Hence of the $48.82 price difference, $35.42, or 73%, is a result of taxation differences.

This would not explain the size of the difference in tennis ball prices, though.

A very good post. I'd forgotten that sales tax wouldn't be listed when I looked at TW. I'd still like cheaper balls mind.

 

[Z-Man]

Bear in mind that US prices are quoted exclusive of sales tax, whereas European prices include VAT. The effect of sales tax varies according to which state you live in and you can often avoid it by ordering online.

However, the difference in taxes could easily explain some of the price differences we see. The Euro price quoted in the above post assumes UK VAT rates, by the looks of it. That is currently 17.5% The VAT content of the €180.50 price for the Babolat is €26.88, giving a price of €153.62 without VAT, or $202.40. Hence of the $48.82 price difference, $35.42, or 73%, is a result of taxation differences.

This would not explain the size of the difference in tennis ball prices, though.

Great point. That VAT is sinister--it's buried in the cost like an excise tax, so it gets marked up along the way--making things much more expensive. It's deadly efficient, and you can't dodge it by shopping online. It's just a matter of time before we have a VAT in the US.

 

[fleabitten]

Hey guys in Australia that get 4 balls in a can, do you feel like you need 4? The standard in the US is 3 and I think you would get used to it really quickly and save yourself like 25% on cost if the manufacturers would offer it there.

 

[Steady Eddy]

Hey guys in Australia that get 4 balls in a can, do you feel like you need 4? The standard in the US is 3 and I think you would get used to it really quickly and save yourself like 25% on cost if the manufacturers would offer it there.

I like playing with 3 balls best. The server starts out with two, so it's easy to know where the third one is. With more balls people just lose track of where the balls are, and it doesn't seem to speed up play very much.

 

[prostaff junkie]

Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately I used Dunlop Forts for a while, and they're one of my least favourite balls. They feel heavy than others, and that only gets worse as they're used.

That's right, I want value for money but am picky with it. A losing battle, I'm sure.

They also do the Slaz Wimbledon Hi Vis for around £4 per tin.

This is also a good deal.......

http://www.sweatband.com/sweatbandcom--head-team-tennis-balls--6-dozen.html

 

[prostaff junkie]

Not sure if they're ITF approved or not though..........

 

[mtommer]

Yep, Slazenger, Dunlop, Wilson and I've recently started moonlighting for Babolat. I've managed to keep them all round $10 a can in Aust. I could tell you how I did it - but then I'd have to kill you.

You...wha.....I mean....but....I can't believe it.....GRRRRRRR! HOSTILE TAKEOVER! (darn corrupt business owners)
.
.
.
.

 

[tennisee]

Hey guys in Australia that get 4 balls in a can, do you feel like you need 4? The standard in the US is 3 and I think you would get used to it really quickly and save yourself like 25% on cost if the manufacturers would offer it there.

Ha - we use the 4 ball cans because in matches we only get 2 balls per court! We get one can per team per match! (that's for six rubbers) This means the pace of play is slower and we waste time when balls go over fences etc.

The thing is though, when people get used to two balls not everyone seems to be able to adapt to having the third as a spare, so using 3 is not really an advantage any longer.

 

[OrangeOne]

Hey guys in Australia that get 4 balls in a can, do you feel like you need 4? The standard in the US is 3 and I think you would get used to it really quickly and save yourself like 25% on cost if the manufacturers would offer it there.

We have a choice of both 3 & 4. It's just for hitting it's more economical to buy them in 4-ball cans, sometimes anyways.

 

[athiker]

Use ball compressors

I have the Gamma version...Gamma Revive...thought I got it a TW but don't see it now...seems to work. Just a hard plastic 2 piece cylinder that screws together.

WALMART - They price tennis balls as a loss leader to get you in the store every week. Here in South Carolina the price has been $1.97 for over ten years.
Robby C

Yep, under $2 here at both Walmart and Target...Penn or Wilson 3 pack.

If anyone in the US - with access to brand name balls at around ~$2 a can by the case - also knows a good, cheap international shipping option.... then please feel free to PM me via my profile.

Not even kidding....

That's the odd thing, they are cheaper as single 3 pack balls here than by the case at a sporting goods store...even at a big box sporting goods store like Dick's.

We always crack a new can for league matches or "formal" singles competitions like ladder and compass draw matches. Home team or challenger brings the balls.

Don't know that I've ever seen anyone break out a 4 pack. We certainly don't open a new can for each set! Advantage of 3.5/4.0 tennis I guess...no 130 mph serves here. For an informal match we will sometimes reuse balls that are only a day old if they have good bounce and decent felt. The compressor gadget actually works well if you keep the o-ring lubed. If a ball still has good felt, and in the 40+ year old crowd you still have a fair amount of flat hitters, you can reuse them days later and they will maintain a good bounce. Still won't use them for a league match, but will for just playing someone a few sets.

 

[PrinceMoron]

There are all kinds of balls I hate playing with, new or old, but with a heavy racket - 395g - I am less sensitive to the state of the ball.

I would expect to play 2 sets of doubles and then use the balls the next day to hit with, then they belong to the dog.

The Tretorns they use on the Challenger series are a reasonable 2nd best/reserve set. You know, if someone wants a hit for 20 mins and it is not worth opening a new tube.

I won some ball compressors in a tournament, the kind you screw down, but they were so heavy it was just a pain. To be honest when I have had 3 hours' use, the balls are competely shot anyway.

 

[legends70]

New can every time I play or start a new match. But I need somebody else to open the can for me, I have a phobia of the tin lid thing exploding off,(don't ask, the can had too much air sealed inside).

 

[Netspirit]

If you find ball prices too high, you generally have 2 options.

1. Use pressureless balls (each manufacturer has those, Tretorn X are said to be the closest to pressurized balls). You will have to throw them away when the felt goes off. Good option if you only play recreationally, and infrequently.

2. Use pneumatic ball savers. This thing works just fine:

http://amazon.dot.com/Xpressports-Tennis-Ball-Saver/dp/B000FJ7CFC

 

[Larrysümmers]

i warmup with a new can then use them for 7 games. then i get new balls after every 9th game....

 

[PrinceMoron]

Tretorn X are said to be the closest to pressurized balls). Good option if you only play recreationally, and infrequently.

Tretorn Series balls are the official ball of the Challenger series and play just fine, and are streets ahead of what is left of a Head ATP ball after 9 games.

The old X series were little rocks and only good for scaring old ladies, but the new Tretorns are worth checking out.

 

[PrinceMoron]

i warmup with a new can then use them for 7 games. then i get new balls after every 9th game....

That is where you are going wrong, the tubes need to be opened the day before. What you are doing stopped in Wimbledon 10 years ago.


It was all part of a devious scheme to prevent Henman from winning and now Uncle Toni stays up all night popping the tubes.

 

[Netspirit]

Tretorn Series balls are the official ball of the Challenger series and play just fine, and are streets ahead of what is left of a Head ATP ball after 9 games. The old X series were little rocks and only good for scaring old ladies, but the new Tretorns are worth checking out.

Any hints on where I can buy them?

Amazon is only selling Micro X, and there is nothing on the bay at the moment.

 

[PrinceMoron]

Any hints on where I can buy them?

Amazon is only selling Micro X, and there is nothing on the bay at the moment.

Yes avoid the micro X unless you want to kill someone. Lots of the big sports chains are stocking them, not sure I can mention the names here?

 

[8F93W5]

Does anyone here have any twelve ball cans? I have a few. Oxford, Wilson, Voit, Pennsylvania, Golden Crown.

I don't like 4 balls on the court. I think three is the perfect number. Server holds one, receiver holds one and the third one is in play. If one ball is too far to retrieve, the receiver has that 3rd ball handy.

 

[LuckyR]

I don't get it. It sounds like a great opportunity for Penn to break into the European and Australian markets and clean house by undercutting by 25% and still having 50% more profit than balls sold in the US.

 

[LeeD]

Territory contracts and tariffs.

 

[struggle]

3 balls per match. and always find that one that gets slick first for 1st serves.

the fluffier ones are kept for the spinning 2nd serves.

 

[robert]

There is a rich dude here. He insisted to play new can of balls every 6 games. So it is usually 3-6 cans per match.

 

[duffman]

6 new balls for a match.

 

[TenS_Ace]

Good gawd folks, the price of tennis balls?? Obviously you don't golf..tennis balls are the cheapest part of tennis...just sayin'

 

[Bud]

That makes me cry. We usually pay that PER BALL, and that's if we've scored a good deal.

Why are tennis balls so expensive in Europe

 

[SuperDuy]

Yeah no kidding Bud, here they are only $3 for wilson us open extra duty.

 

[jswinf]

I'll share that my weekly doubles group got stuck on a corner court at the (usually very good) municipal tennis center where we've been playing weekly for decades. We pop a can of balls a night and use the three, but tonight we managed to shank 2 of them over the side or back fence into inaccessibility. We finished with 1 ball. Yeah, we had some other balls around, but there's the principle of the thing.

 

[Deleted member 72105]

6 for practice, 3 for a match, 140+ for machine.

10 characters