Pros who used Red, Orange and Green Balls

[cluelessdad]

Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong place, it's my first day here and like the name says, I'm clueless. My son is currently using orange and green balls, neither of which existed when I was his age. I'm wondering if any of the younger pros (Alcaraz, Shelton, Fils...) would have learned to play using the color ball system or if they were all so gifted they always used adult yellow balls. Or were the color balls not around 7-10 years ago? Just curious!
Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong place, it's my first day here and like the name says, I'm clueless. My son is currently using orange and green balls, neither of which existed when I was his age. I'm wondering if any of the younger pros (Alcaraz, Shelton, Fils...) would have learned to play using the color ball system or if they were all so gifted they always used adult yellow balls. Or were the color balls not around 7-10 years ago? Just curious!
Thanks in advance for any info.

No idea about the players you mentioned, but here's former US Open champion Emma Raducanu playing (and losing) an "epic rally" with what appear to be RED balls (although they could be orange), at the relatively late age of 9...

PS Why is your son using both orange and green? Shouldn't the orange ones be put aside for good once you move onto the greens?

 

[Benf15harp3000]

Do not use those dumb balls.

 

[Fabresque]

In America at least they are pushing the usage of these balls hardcore, so it won’t matter what you think is best, every club in the US will start kids off with the Red, Orange, Green, Yellow system, whether it’s beneficial to them or not. Most private instructors just use regular balls though.

 

[moon shot]

It stuck in my head that Shapovalov used them, according to commentators on some match.

 

[Tennis_Slapper23]

It’s pretty common I’d bet most players who started very young at least used red balls/ foam and maybe some of the used orange. Foam/red is good to get kids who are very little 5-8 who haven’t played before. They definitely lets kids develop form at young age which is good. They have been around for a while I’m sure they were around with guys like Taylor fritz and stuff. I’d say that those players didn’t play with the orange balls and probably green at all. As soon as your kid can move up to yellow since they can handle it even if there younger than 9-10. They should since they get nothing from orange or yellow once they have enough form to keep a yellow ball in.

 

[Bambooman]

Djokovic started with a foam ball. Kids with talent will quickly move through the various colors of ball and probably should as soon as they master each.

 

[cluelessdad]

No idea about the players you mentioned, but here's former US Open champion Emma Raducanu playing (and losing) an "epic rally" with what appear to be RED balls (although they could be orange), at the relatively late age of 9...

PS Why is your son using both orange and green? Shouldn't the orange ones be put aside for good once you move onto the greens?

Thanks for sharing the video! Even though he uses green, he can still enter orange tournaments because of his age. Also, the slower orange balls allow him to really grasp certain things before then trying with a green ball.

 

[Bambooman]

Some coaches like to stick with the age appropriate ones and only move up when the calendar says so.
My son has played up a few levels and currently does group practices and matches with green dot and plays with regular balls when having a private lesson or hitting session with an adult. He's 9.

I think it helps to match the racquet to the ball too.