Pressureless vs Pressured Balls

Eddie G

Eddie G

New User
Hi guys,

So ok, I get that most practice balls are pressureless balls, and that balls you use in games are pressured. Where I draw a question mark is whether you're supposed to use pressured balls sometime during practice so you can accurately simulate the "real game" feel right before a game.

...or do you strictly absolutely, positively have to use the pressureless balls for practice, then switch to pressured balls when you're not practicing?

Sorry if this sounds dumb but I haven't left the noob zone just yet.
 
Eddie G said:
Hi guys,

So ok, I get that most practice balls are pressureless balls, and that balls you use in games are pressured. Where I draw a question mark is whether you're supposed to use pressured balls sometime during practice so you can accurately simulate the "real game" feel right before a game.

...or do you strictly absolutely, positively have to use the pressureless balls for practice, then switch to pressured balls when you're not practicing?

Sorry if this sounds dumb but I haven't left the noob zone just yet.
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When you are young, you don't care, pressureless ball don't bother you at all. But what you don't realize is that Very slowly you are doing damage to your shoulder, elbow and wrist. and injury start to pop up later on, and you are wondering what's going on.... and Trust me on this ,, it is Well worth it to pay Few more dollars and use the regular pressured balls than deal with injuries later on.. Well worth the few extra dollars
 
Most tennis clubs use pressurized balls even for the kids clinics. I think pressureless balls are too hard and can hurt the wrist/elbow. Also, practicing with slightly dead balls is not a bad thing, can help with footwork, and makes you hit out more. Obviously once the balls are too dead they are done.
 
Eddie G said:
Hi guys,

So ok, I get that most practice balls are pressureless balls, and that balls you use in games are pressured. Where I draw a question mark is whether you're supposed to use pressured balls sometime during practice so you can accurately simulate the "real game" feel right before a game.

...or do you strictly absolutely, positively have to use the pressureless balls for practice, then switch to pressured balls when you're not practicing?

Sorry if this sounds dumb but I haven't left the noob zone just yet.
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Most practice balls are pressure balls. Pressureless balls come into their own in very cold environments (where pressure balls have very poor bounce qualities).
 
I prefer that to chasing lifeless balls in cold weather - the recipe for pulled hamstrings when being yanked up to the net. I definitely am not a fan of pressureless ball on a regular basis.
 
Kavala said:
I prefer that to chasing lifeless balls in cold weather - the recipe for pulled hamstrings when being yanked up to the net. I definitely am not a fan of pressureless ball on a regular basis.
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What is cold weather for you ?

Its freezing cold outside and poly strings seems to stiffen up.

Due to lockdown all indoor sports are closed in my country. It is freezing could outside, close to 0 degree celcius (32F) snowing / raining but hybrid clay court are still open. Played the other day, balls got wet and very heavy due to light rain, also my poly strings seems to be very stiff -...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com tt.tennis-warehouse.com
 
blai212 said:
i thought pressureless balls were softer than pressurized ones…ie green balls and orange balls
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Those are not the pressureless balls in question. You are confusing practice balls with training balls. You are referring to the soft & light low-pressure (Quick Start Tennis) training balls that are used for young kids or novice adults. These are intended to have a significantly reduced bounce height. Nominally, a 25% bounce for red balls, a 50% bounce for orange balls and a 75% balance for green dot balls.

These should not be confused with the so-called pressureless tennis balls that many intermediate players use in their ball machines and ball hoppers. These balls do not depend on their internal pressure for their bounce. They use a thicker /stiffer rubber composition for their bounce instead. They may be slightly heavier and certainly feel much stiffer than a standard pressurized ball. Under many conditions, their bounce is somewhat similar to that of a regular pressurized ball. They should normally bounce quite a bit higher than the soft green dot training balls.

Common brands for these pressureless practice balls are Tretorn, Gamma & Tourna. Penn / Head also makes some pressureless balls that come in a non-pressurized bucket or bag.
 
@Eddie G

If you are hitting fairly (or moderately) hard, using polyester strings, or most Babolat frames (or other high-shock, stiff-feeling frames), you would be well advised not to hit too often with hard pressureless balls. If you have a young, sturdy arm and are using a forgiving, arm-friendly racket with soft strings, you might get away with hitting with pressureless balls somewhat more often

Under many standard conditions, pressureless balls will bounce slightly lower than brand new pressurized balls. However they may bounce about the same or somewhat higher than older pressurized balls that have lost some of their pressure / bounce.

Under colder weather conditions, pressurized balls will often not bounce very well. Under these conditions, the pressureless balls could very well bounce higher than the pressurized ones. If you are playing at sea level (or lower) and the barometric pressure is a bit on the high side, then the bounce for pressureless and pressurize balls may be about the same.

OTOH, If you are playing in very hot conditions or are playing at a higher altitude (elevation), pressurized balls might be too lively and pressureless balls might be the better option in these situations.
 
Happi said:
What is cold weather for you ?

Its freezing cold outside and poly strings seems to stiffen up.

Due to lockdown all indoor sports are closed in my country. It is freezing could outside, close to 0 degree celcius (32F) snowing / raining but hybrid clay court are still open. Played the other day, balls got wet and very heavy due to light rain, also my poly strings seems to be very stiff -...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com tt.tennis-warehouse.com
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I live in London, cold is below 7 degrees celsius but especially below 4 degrees celsius. I had a match recently that ended in snow. Balls would not bounce. I also play indoors - where this is obviously not a problem. I am 59 years old. Have played since I was 12; often in the tropics. I have'nt just made up my view on this.
 
LeeD said:
I use Tetorn type balls for high altitude.
Cold temp Wilson.
Hot temp Dunlop.
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Which Wilsons for cold temps? Certainly not the Wilson Champs. I’m not a huge fan of Penn Champs — except for cold weather conditions. All the other balls we’ve used feel like rocks when the mercury drops.

But not tried pressureless for cold weather play. I suspect they will feel a bit hard but right now it’s better than the pressurized balls if the weather is very cold.
 
Up here in Berkeley, Wilson Champs are waaaay lighter and bounce higher than any Dunlop...or Tretorn.
Still, depends exactly WHICH Wilson is involved.
 
SystemicAnomaly said:
@Eddie G

OTOH, If you are playing at a higher altitude (elevation), pressurized balls might be too lively and pressureless balls might be the better option in these situations.
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That's why they make high altitude balls.
The problem is that up here at altitude, in stores like Walmart or Target the people ordering the balls don't know the difference and you have to be very careful not to buy regular low-altitude balls unless you want all your strokes ending up in the back fence.
 
Eddie G said:
Hi guys,

So ok, I get that most practice balls are pressureless balls, and that balls you use in games are pressured. Where I draw a question mark is whether you're supposed to use pressured balls sometime during practice so you can accurately simulate the "real game" feel right before a game.

...or do you strictly absolutely, positively have to use the pressureless balls for practice, then switch to pressured balls when you're not practicing?

Sorry if this sounds dumb but I haven't left the noob zone just yet.
Click to expand...

I use Wilson Triniti pressureless balls with my ball machine. The best thing about them is their consistency. After about a month of use the fuzz wears down and they play the same all the time. They are more lively and kick harder off the court. They are somewhat more difficult to hit than pressurized balls that have been hit with for more than a few minutes.

They do play different, but so does an new ball, a match used ball, and a ball that's a couple weeks old.

If I didn't have a ball machine I doubt I would use them.

However, if cost/supply chains are an issue, they will bounce and bounce and bounce. They do not go dead unless you manage to crack them.
 
MoxMonkey said:
I use Wilson Triniti pressureless balls with my ball machine. The best thing about them is their consistency. After about a month of use the fuzz wears down and they play the same all the time. They are more lively and kick harder off the court. They are somewhat more difficult to hit than pressurized balls that have been hit with for more than a few minutes.

They do play different, but so does an new ball, a match used ball, and a ball that's a couple weeks old.

If I didn't have a ball machine I doubt I would use them.

However, if cost/supply chains are an issue, they will bounce and bounce and bounce. They do not go dead unless you manage to crack them.
Click to expand...

I was a playtester for the Triniti balls a few months before they came out, so that would have been some time in 2019, I believe. I still have a couple of those balls from way back then that I keep in my racquet bag for times when I want to hit against the wall. The felt is worn down but as you say, they still have as-new bounce. When I used the Triniti more consistently, I'd never worry about opening a new sleeve of them even if it was to just hit for ten minutes, because I knew they'd be as good as new the next time.

I did get away from using them. They are harsher on the arm, and too many players just don't like them for the high frequency impact sound they make, as well as that they seem to really kill pace on hard swings. But for a ball machine or to just have a few open balls in the bag for those short hitting sessions, they are perfect.
 
Kavala said:
I prefer that to chasing lifeless balls in cold weather - the recipe for pulled hamstrings when being yanked up to the net. I definitely am not a fan of pressureless ball on a regular basis.
Click to expand...
if it's too cold for pressurised balls, it's too cold for tennis - hang up the racquet and go skiing or something
 
Steve Williams said:
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Have you ever played with Triniti balls ? They feel very much like preassureless balls, hard on the arm, I think it’s just a marketing scam from Wilson to call them preassured. I have a bucket for my ballmachine and they work well there, but still hard on the arm.
 
Wilson Trinity is my ball of choice. I’ve also played a lot with Treetorn micro X. This is what the inside of a pressureless ball looks like.

If you want to see whether Wilson are scamming us all with a fake pressurised ball, feel free to cut one of yours open.
 
Steve Williams said:
Wilson Trinity is my ball of choice. I’ve also played a lot with Treetorn micro X. This is what the inside of a pressureless ball looks like.

If you want to see whether Wilson are scamming us all with a fake pressurised ball, feel free to cut one of yours open.
Click to expand...
Good idea, I think I just might want to do that.
 
SystemicAnomaly said:
Those are not the pressureless balls in question. You are confusing practice balls with training balls. You are referring to the soft & light low-pressure (Quick Start Tennis) training balls that are used for young kids or novice adults. These are intended to have a significantly reduced bounce height. Nominally, a 25% bounce for red balls, a 50% bounce for orange balls and a 75% balance for green dot balls.
Click to expand...
. I believe you are wrong and mislead the guy. Regular kids 25, 50,75% bounce balls are pressureless, but they are made softer-it is a technology design. If you buy and try Artengo TB160 pressureless balls, in time they become softer just like kids balls, as they do not have solid core. This is up to the technology and the fact they made them this way to be cheap.
 
I use a lot Artengo TB160,which are cheap and inside look completely, as Trinity - no solid core. In time they become softer, which at first was a big disappointment for me, but I lift them back by removing their part or their felt. So the behavior is not typical for a pressureless balls. As I understand Wilson Trinity behaves the same. So I guess Wilson and Artengo make these marketing tricks. Nevertheless I believe TB160 are the best for recreational players, but if one does not want the ball to have side effects like softening or bounce decrease, keep to Tretorn Micro X I guess
 
KeefFit said:
. I believe you are wrong and mislead the guy. Regular kids 25, 50,75% bounce balls are pressureless, but they are made softer-it is a technology design. If you buy and try Artengo TB160 pressureless balls, in time they become softer just like kids balls, as they do not have solid core. This is up to the technology and the fact they made them this way to be cheap.
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I'm fairly certain that you are mistaken about this. The red, orange and green (dot) training balls for kids are low compression (low pressure) but are NOT considered pressureless.

A true pressureless ball will have an internal pressure that is more-or-less equal to the external pressure (the pressure of the outside air at sea level). Because they are equal (or very close to equal), a pressureless ball has an internal gauge pressure of zero (or very close to zero). At most, the gauge pressure of these balls might be 1 or 2 psi, I believe.

A regular pressurized ball, fresh out of the can, will have an internal pressure that is nearly double the external air pressure. They typically have a gauge pressure of 12-14 psi. Several sources I've come across have indicated that the low compression training balls for kids have about 50% of the internal pressure of a regular pressurized tennis ball. That would put their gauge pressure at about 6-7 psi. This is not considered pressureless.
 
SystemicAnomaly said:
I'm fairly certain that you are mistaken about this. The red, orange and green (dot) training balls for kids are low compression (low pressure) but are NOT considered.....
Click to expand...
. I guess there is some truth in that explanations, considering the behavior for example of Artengo TB160 pressureless, which match the one of Wilson Trinity pressurized along with completely similar internal structure. But another example is Artengo have Tb120 with green dot 75% bounce which they say are pressureless and they along produce TB120 pressurized (again green dot, 75%) for kids competitions, which come in box under pressure. Most of the manufacturers sell green dot balls in some plastic or paper bags/boxes, which definitely tells they are pressureless, but I guess there can be some pressure actually inside. I guess the full truth is known by the manifacturers ,:)
 
KeefFit said:
. I guess there is some truth in that explanations, considering the behavior for example of Artengo TB160 pressureless, which match the one of Wilson Trinity pressurized along with completely similar internal structure. But another example is Artengo have Tb120 with green dot 75% bounce which they say are pressureless and they along produce TB120 pressurized (again green dot, 75%) for kids competitions, which come in box under pressure. Most of the manufacturers sell green dot balls in some plastic or paper bags/boxes, which definitely tells they are pressureless, but I guess there can be some pressure actually inside. I guess the full truth is known by the manifacturers ,:)
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There is more than just SOME truth in my explanation.

I know nothing about the Artengo brand. Have not seen it around here (US West coast) or any of the popular online sources in the US

The higher quality orange (stage 2) and green (stage 1) balls sold here do come in pressurized containers (cans or buckets). The cheaper, lower quality balls are sold in plastic containers that are not pressurized or are only slightly pressurized. I usually buy the higher quality balls from Wilson, Dunlop, Tourna or Penn that come in pressurized containers. I believe that Gamma also sells their higher quality junior training balls in pressurized cans.

The cheaper balls seems to be much more variable in their bounce. Possibly because some have lost some of the pressure they might have originally had.

Here is a sampling of descriptions from some ball manufacturers & distributors:

STAGE 2 ORANGE 60BKT

dunlopsports.com dunlopsports.com
STAGE 2 ORANGE

A great ball for beginners. With an internal pressure 50% lower than a standard tennis ball


From Amazon:

Tourna green dot tennis balls have 25% reduced pressure and bounce lower than a standard tennis ball. The balls are pressurized but at a lower pressure than a standard tennis ball. This results in the ball bouncing lower, slower, and making it easier to hit.


Tourna Pressurized Green Dot Tennis Balls

The balls are pressurized but at a lower pressure than a standard tennis ball...


From Walmart (online):

Tourna Kids Green Dot Pressurized Tennis Balls, 12 Cans

3 Balls in a pressurized can. Green dot balls have a 25% reduced bounce; Pressurized for a more lively bounce and longer life; Ideal for ...
 
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Artengo is a french brand of Decathlon. Gael Monfils is now their sponsored player and they have one tournament 250 in France.
 
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To get back in main topic. I believe for recreational players it is better to use pressureless balls, as they keep their constant bounce, you play with them always as good as they would be out of the can for the first time, if they were pressurized. Yes some of them feel like more hard balls. Playing with them is actually a plus, as it is little bit tougher to handle them and they are slightly faster. Once playing with pressureless balls, getting back to pressurized is easier for the player, so it is a plus only, when using them. If you are not a competitor, spending tons of cash on pressurized balls is a waste of money.
 
KeefFit said:
To get back in main topic. I believe for recreational players it is better to use pressureless balls, as they keep their constant bounce, you play with them always as good as they would be out of the can for the first time, if they were pressurized. Yes some of them feel like more hard balls. Playing with them is actually a plus, as it is little bit tougher to handle them and they are slightly faster. Once playing with pressureless balls, getting back to pressurized is easier for the player, so it is a plus only, when using them. If you are not a competitor, spending tons of cash on pressurized balls is a waste of money.
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Rec players have lots og off center hits. With pressureless balls, a stiff racquet and dead poly strings, you have the recipe for arm injury.
 
I'm on my 2nd crate of Triniti's and I have to say that they really are the best of both worlds. The shell is indeed a bit more dense-feeling than a pressurized ball, but it's not nearly as dead as a typical pressureless. None of the people I play with, old or young, have complained about them being too hard. The bounce remains strong forever. My only complaint would be that the felt shreds too easily. The ball will go bald before losing any bounce. The bounce also doesn't degrade in colder temperatures. I have ProPenn's as my "good" match balls, but I always feel like they bounce worse than Triniti's after just 30-45 minutes.
 
Xen said:
I'm on my 2nd crate of Triniti's and I have to say that they really are the best of both worlds. The shell is indeed a bit more dense-feeling than a pressurized ball, but it's not nearly as dead as a typical pressureless. None of the people I play with, old or young, have complained about them being too hard. The bounce remains strong forever. My only complaint would be that the felt shreds too easily. The ball will go bald before losing any bounce. The bounce also doesn't degrade in colder temperatures. I have ProPenn's as my "good" match balls, but I always feel like they bounce worse than Triniti's after just 30-45 minutes.
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They basically turn from tennis balls into racquetballs when the felt gets too worn haha. I am not sure I would not say the felt shreds too easily though since it seemed like I got at least 50 hours of hitting per ball. I can't expect it to last forever.
 
optic yellow said:
They basically turn from tennis balls into racquetballs when the felt gets too worn haha. I am not sure I would not say the felt shreds too easily though since it seemed like I got at least 50 hours of hitting per ball. I can't expect it to last forever.
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Yeah. Perhaps it's just an illusion resulting from how long they last. People ask me all the time: "what are these unmarked balls you keep taking out?" The answer: "those are Triniti's with the logo worn off". I have had several wear down to the point where I could see the underlying plastic weave. At that point, they'll still bounce, but won't spin well, since they're not gripping your strings the same.
 
Bud said:
Are the Triniti Pro balls any better than the regular Triniti balls?
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I've seen the Pro ones around, but haven't hit with them enough to say. Where do you even get them? I don't think they exist anymore. Neither the Wilson website nor Amazon has them.
 
Xen said:
Yeah. Perhaps it's just an illusion resulting from how long they last. People ask me all the time: "what are these unmarked balls you keep taking out?" The answer: "those are Triniti's with the logo worn off". I have had several wear down to the point where I could see the underlying plastic weave. At that point, they'll still bounce, but won't spin well, since they're not gripping your strings the same.
Click to expand...
Yes that is the point I found they started behaving like racquetballs. It wasn't even the lack of spin that cued me in they were finally done but rather the bounce getting too great.
 
Bud said:
Are the Triniti Pro balls any better than the regular Triniti balls?
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I bought a case of the Pros just to try: I don't notice a difference between the regular and these. They're supposed to be livelier than the regular, but I don't see it. I think all the Trinitis feel lively, maybe due to the fact that they keep their bounce longer.
 
ey039524 said:
I bought a case of the Pros just to try: I don't notice a difference between the regular and these. They're supposed to be livelier than the regular, but I don't see it. I think all the Trinitis feel lively, maybe due to the fact that they keep their bounce longer.
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Just purchased some regular Triniti and Triniti Pro balls. These balls are really great, IMO. They also last a really long time and don't lose their bounce after weeks of play.

The main difference between the Pro versus regular.

1. Slightly bouncier
2. Higher quality, more visible yellow felt
3. Ball lettering is higher quality and lasts longer.
4. Not as much of the "pop" sound vs the regular Triniti.

I've hit with others without disclosing the ball brand. Nobody has noticed anything amiss.

For the small price difference, go with the Triniti Pro.

Just ordered a case of Triniti Pro after trying both in the individual sleeves.
 
Bud said:
Just purchased some regular Triniti and Triniti Pro balls. These balls are really great, IMO. They also last a really long time and don't lose their bounce after weeks of play.

The main difference between the Pro versus regular.

1. Slightly bouncier
2. Higher quality, more visible yellow felt
3. Ball lettering is higher quality and lasts longer.
4. Not as much of the "pop" sound vs the regular Triniti.

I've hit with others without disclosing the ball brand. Nobody has noticed anything amiss.

For the small price difference, go with the Triniti Pro.

Just ordered a case of Triniti Pro after trying both in the individual sleeves.
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Always rated your taste.
 
We also bought a case to try in our hopper and ball machine b/c individual "cans" weren't available. Pricier but may end up being worth the extra cost if the felt endures. Definitely won't lose their bounce.
 
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