Wilson US Open Balls feel extremely heavy

[EddieBrock]

I'm used to the regular Penn championship balls you see everywhere and tried the clay court Wilson US Open balls that are much more expensive and supposed to be premium. To me it feels like someone put a weight inside and it's like hitting a golf ball. Especially when I hit the ball off center. The guy I was playing with said the same thing.

Do people like the feel of these? Is it something you get used to? I've been using the Penn for years.

 

[socallefty]

All brands have lighter, cheaper Championship balls and then heavier, more expensive premium balls - Wilson USO, Penn Tour, ProPenn, Dunlop AO etc. Amongst premium balls mentioned, Wilson USO feels lightest to me. Lightest to heaviest premium balls for me would be Wilson USO, Penn Tour, ProPenn, Dunlop AO.

Also, all balls have a regular duty version for clay courts and Extra duty version for hard courts. The XD versions have more fluff and are slower - maybe heavier too?

 

[Injured Again]

Official tennis ball weights are fairly closely regulated to within a narrow range but some ball materials do seem to absorb more energy. The Wilson Triniti balls, even though they are certified for official play, are noticeably slower coming off the strings. The USO balls are high bouncing but also among the slower feeling balls when hit.

 

[EddieBrock]

All brands have lighter, cheaper Championship balls and then heavier, more expensive premium balls - Wilson USO, Penn Tour, ProPenn, Dunlop AO etc. Amongst premium balls mentioned, Wilson USO feels lightest to me. Lightest to heaviest premium balls for me would be Wilson USO, Penn Tour, ProPenn, Dunlop AO.

Also, all balls have a regular duty version for clay courts and Extra duty version for hard courts. The XD versions have more fluff and are slower - maybe heavier too?

I'm playing on clay with the regular duty balls. I also have the Dunlop ATP premium extra duty for hard court and they feel heavier than the Championship Penn, but nowhere near as much as those Wilson US Open to me. They also seem to really fluff up a lot after playing with them.

 

[socallefty]

I'm playing on clay with the regular duty balls. I also have the Dunlop ATP premium extra duty for hard court and they feel heavier than the Championship Penn, but nowhere near as much as those Wilson US Open to me. They also seem to really fluff up a lot after playing with them.

I think Dunlop ATP and Dunlop AO are somewhat similar in terms of feeling good for a couple of games and then fluffing up so much that they feel heavy/slow and are hard to hit winners with unless you really flatten out your shot.

 

[cks]

My two favorite balls now are Wilson US Open XD and Dunlop ATP XD. The Dunlops due fluff up more than the Wilson, but both balls feel great and tend to keep their bounce over a week. The Costco Penn balls seems to loose their bounce pretty quickly.

 

[puppybutts]

US Open is a great ball when you get a good can. I don't buy them cause every other can feels different.

They do feel a bit larger and heavier compared to Dunlop ATPs IMO, especially if the can is a bit dead.

 

[socallefty]

Someone opened a can of Wilson USO XD balls yesterday and they had almost no fluff at the start almost like the non-premium Wilson/Penn Championship balls. It took a while for the balls to fluff up enough to take decent spin and even then they were low bounce. I don’t know if they are having manufacturing quality variations like many are reporting with other balls.

 

[vandre]

Someone opened a can of Wilson USO balls yesterday and they had almost no fluff at the start almost like the non-premium Wilson/Penn Championship balls. It took a while for the balls to fluff up enough to take decent spin and even then they were low bounce. I don’t know if they are having manufacturing quality variations like many are reporting with other balls.

this makes me sad. wilson uso-s used to be my favorite but it has been a long while since i've hit with them.

 

[socallefty]

this makes me sad. wilson uso-s used to be my favorite but it has been a long while since i've hit with them.

Try ProPenn XD if you play on hard courts as the quality seems good.

 

[am1899]

Huh, that’s interesting. To me the Penn Championship balls feel like dead rocks, whilst the USO regular duty (assuming that’s what you used) feel soft at impact, bounce high, and really fly through the air (almost too much so). Personally, I much prefer the USO’s, but to each their own.

 

[vandre]

Try ProPenn XD if you play on hard courts as the quality seems good.

tyvm for the recommendation. i will have to check those out!

 

[am1899]

Also, all balls have a regular duty version for clay courts and Extra duty version for hard courts. The XD versions have more fluff and are slower - maybe heavier too?

Can’t remember where I read it, but apparently the difference in weight between the regular and extra duty USO ball is negligible. I think the suggestion was made that the rubber used for the extra duty ball is firmer than what is used for the regular duty ball - accounting for the differences in feel and how they fly through the air.

Edit: Check that…it wasn’t the rubber….it was the felt - extra duty has thicker felt than the regular duty.

 

[Soundbyte]

The Diadem XD and USO XD balls feel really really similar. I've heard they're made in the same factory.

Others here feel the same way? I still think the Dunlop ATP gets the nod from me though for best hard court ball

 

[AceyMan]

I still think the Dunlop ATP gets the nod from me

That'd be the *real* ATP ball, not the ATP 'Championship' ball which is a sporting goods store quality equivalent to the Penn or Wilson Championship balls.

/Acey

The real one has the half-blue, half-black can rather than the all black can.

 

[sureshs]

I'm used to the regular Penn championship balls you see everywhere and tried the clay court Wilson US Open balls that are much more expensive and supposed to be premium. To me it feels like someone put a weight inside and it's like hitting a golf ball. Especially when I hit the ball off center. The guy I was playing with said the same thing.

Do people like the feel of these? Is it something you get used to? I've been using the Penn for years.

I prefer the Wilson balls as they are heavier and bounce higher. That is how I mastered the high one-handed backhand.

 

[SlowTiger]

The Diadem XD and USO XD balls feel really really similar. I've heard they're made in the same factory.

Others here feel the same way? I still think the Dunlop ATP gets the nod from me though for best hard court ball

They do. My friend uses technifbre balls and I use US opens. I bought a case of diadems a while back when balls were sold out everywhere and we couldn't really tell the difference between any of them when new since they're from the same factory...oddly the diadems had the worse durability/bounce longevity. I'm sticking with US opens now unless for I can't source them again or the diadems come in at least a 30% discount compared to US opens

 

[silentkman]

They do. My friend uses technifbre balls and I use US opens. I bought a case of diadems a while back when balls were sold out everywhere and we couldn't really tell the difference between any of them when new since they're from the same factory...oddly the diadems had the worse durability/bounce longevity. I'm sticking with US opens now unless for I can't source them again or the diadems come in at least a 30% discount compared to US opens

I'm a US Open XD guy too. They just feel heavier and better suited for my game. I just purchased a case with my USTA discount of $44. I actually wanted to try the four ball case, but they were sold out.

 

[am1899]

I just purchased a case with my USTA discount of $44.

Wasn’t aware this was a thing. Is it a membership perk?

 

[am1899]

That is how I mastered the high one-handed backhand.

This I have to see. Is there a video?

 

[sureshs]

This I have to see. Is there a video?

No

 

[cks]

Wasn’t aware this was a thing. Is it a membership perk?

Yes.

Starting on October 13th, 2022, when you renew or purchase an adult or senior USTA Membership, you will receive $44 off qualifying merchandise at Wilson.com with a minimum purchase.

 

[am1899]

Yes.

Sweet, thanks!

 

[am1899]

No

I am disappoint.

 

[Soundbyte]

We just hit with the USO XD and Diadem. While they felt similar, the felt on the USO got destroyed quickly. Balls still played fine, but for what it's worth, the diadem felt held up better

 

[silentkman]

Wasn’t aware this was a thing. Is it a membership perk?

yes, its a membership perk. it's the cost of a years membership. I was made aware that everyone didn't get it for some reason.

 

[am1899]

yes, its a membership perk. it's the cost of a years membership. I was made aware that everyone didn't get it for some reason.

I dug through my email earlier, and sure enough, there it was! Thanks again!

 

[silentkman]

I dug through my email earlier, and sure enough, there it was! Thanks again!

there was one for Head too. I didn't see anything I wanted from them. The only thing that was worth it from Wilson was the balls. In addition, shipping was free.

 

[movdqa]

I've played mostly with the USO for the past decade and have never had a bad can. I'm almost done with my current case and will be playing the ProPenn Marathon balls. The PPM balls are a bit harder than the USOs. PPMs were $3.60/can at a local club vs $5.25 from TW and that much of a discount is too much to pass up.

 

[ulunxtns]

My go-to balls are Dunlop AO XD.
USO XD feels heavier and sometimes gives me elbow pain, maybe it's a mental thing.

 

[InSydeOut]

I find the USO are the superior ball. I need balls to bounce good for at least 2 sessions and USO rarely disappoint. They are good ball machine balls too afterwards.

 

[Lorenn]

My go-to balls are Dunlop AO XD.
USO XD feels heavier and sometimes gives me elbow pain, maybe it's a mental thing.

If you are slightly mispredicting the bounce of different balls you are more likely to hit slightly off center. Which might increase stress in the arm/elbow. Maybe a combination?

 

[movdqa]

If you are slightly mispredicting the bounce of different balls you are more likely to hit slightly off center. Which might increase stress in the arm/elbow. Maybe a combination?

If a slight increase in weight results in noticeable pain, then the usual ball may also be causing some damage; just not at a level that can be felt.

My racquets are 13.25 ounces and hardness of balls has never been an issue for me.

 

[Lorenn]

If a slight increase in weight results in noticeable pain, then the usual ball may also be causing some damage; just not at a level that can be felt.

My racquets are 13.25 ounces and hardness of balls has never been an issue for me.

More concerned about off center hits. I don't complain about balls, but I do try to understand why it might be an issue for some. I would if anyone has recorded various balls bouncing between two players at high speed!

 

[movdqa]

More concerned about off center hits. I don't complain about balls, but I do try to understand why it might be an issue for some. I would if anyone has recorded various balls bouncing between two players at high speed!

My racquets area 386 swingweight too. You can hit the ball anywhere on the strings or the frame and you won't get any shock up your arm.

I used to play with 17 ounce racquets and you feel practically nothing when the racquet hits the ball.

 

[crazyfortennis]

I find the USO are the superior ball. I need balls to bounce good for at least 2 sessions and USO rarely disappoint. They are good ball machine balls too afterwards.

I am thinking about using the USTA $44 discount to get the Wilson USO. Do you find the balls using the doughnut shaped hole in the middle lid keep the balls still in good condition for a second use vs a full lid?

 

[movdqa]

I am thinking about using the USTA $44 discount to get the Wilson USO. Do you find the balls using the doughnut shaped hole in the middle lid keep the balls still in good condition for a second use vs a full lid?

I saved several of the old lids and I use those. When I take out a can with the ring-style lid, I take off the one it came with and put on a full lid and just keep reusing the full lid.

 

[Lorenn]

My racquets area 386 swingweight too. You can hit the ball anywhere on the strings or the frame and you won't get any shock up your arm.

I used to play with 17 ounce racquets and you feel practically nothing when the racquet hits the ball.

I doubt we can convince everyone to use 17 ounce racquets. Borg was what 14.5 ounces. So I think players will continue to be picky about balls. They will blame various balls for making them sore compared to their favorite...My swing weight is no longer in the 380 range I reduced it when switching to the Gravity Pro.

 

[movdqa]

I doubt we can convince everyone to use 17 ounce racquets. Borg was what 14.5 ounces. So I think players will continue to be picky about balls. They will blame various balls for making them sore compared to their favorite...My swing weight is no longer in the 380 range I reduced it when switching to the Gravity Pro.

A little lead tape can do wonders.

 

[silentkman]

I am thinking about using the USTA $44 discount to get the Wilson USO. Do you find the balls using the doughnut shaped hole in the middle lid keep the balls still in good condition for a second use vs a full lid?

I've had no issues with the new lid. My new Wilson USO are coming today, about a week after I placed the order. As far as I'm concerned that's the only worth buying with your $44 discount. This would work out well every year.

 

[movdqa]

I've had no issues with the new lid. My new Wilson USO are coming today, about a week after I placed the order. As far as I'm concerned that's the only worth buying with your $44 discount. This would work out well every year.

How does the discount work and what's the net cost per can?

I ran into this article while looking around for US Open balls with USTA discount. It looks like the US Open tournament uses different balls for women and men, due to TE problems in the past with women using the men's balls. It seems like you can't please everyone.

USTA: Tours, players part of tennis ball evaluation

A week after Iga Swiatek called the balls used at the US Open "horrible," the USTA responded in a statement Wednesday, explaining that "a number of factors are considered in these decisions," which include input from the tours and their player councils.

www.espn.com

 

[silentkman]

How does the discount work and what's the net cost per can?

I ran into this article while looking around for US Open balls with USTA discount. It looks like the US Open tournament uses different balls for women and men, due to TE problems in the past with women using the men's balls. It seems like you can't please everyone.

USTA: Tours, players part of tennis ball evaluation

A week after Iga Swiatek called the balls used at the US Open "horrible," the USTA responded in a statement Wednesday, explaining that "a number of factors are considered in these decisions," which include input from the tours and their player councils.

www.espn.com

You have a discount code from the USTA for $44 that you can use on a case of balls. The price of case is $120. the men use extra duty and the women use regular duty.

 

[movdqa]

You have a discount code from the USTA for $44 that you can use on a case of balls. The price of case is $120. the men use extra duty and the women use regular duty.

So that price is comparable to what I paid for the ProPenn Marathons. That explains why the high-schools in my area use the US Opens. I have been at a few practices where the coach carted a bunch of cases of US Opens to a storage shed and then opened one up for practice.

 

[ulunxtns]

If you are slightly mispredicting the bounce of different balls you are more likely to hit slightly off center. Which might increase stress in the arm/elbow. Maybe a combination?

That could be the reason too. I have no issue with other balls, I just either like them or not. But the USO is the only one that gave me some discomfort.

 

[Lorenn]

I ran into this article while looking around for US Open balls with USTA discount. It looks like the US Open tournament uses different balls for women and men, due to TE problems in the past with women using the men's balls. It seems like you can't please everyone.

Assuming after the hardcourt switch in 1978. My memory was that women always used regular duty when men used XD. I don't recall injury being mentioned as the reason. Before 1978 they played on Clay. So women kept using a similar ball and men were switched to a XD ball. I never noticed Wilson balls were so hard to find outside in Europe as I was always excited about all the other options! Pretty sure IGA can get cases delivered now, but the US open should change....

 

[norcal]

+1 on US Open and Diadem's being very similar.

Been using Dunlop ATP's and Penn Tour's lately. Penn Tour is more durable, ATP has more bounce (of course bounce could depend on how long balls have been sitting in a warehouse). Which has me thinking ATP is good for winter when things are less lively, Penn Tour for summer when things are more lively. Both are $100 a case now, USO and Diadem are now $120. I think of the 4 I like the Dunlop ATP best.

Interested in trying Penn Marathon's, sounds like a good summer ball.

 

[Ty Webb]

Just getting back into Tennis after many years off and bought a case of US Open regular duty Wilson's and was surprised how heavy or hard these balls are. I discussed with playing partner as he had Penn reg duty, we compared and played all six during a recent game. The Wilsons were noticeable heavier or as he described it hard as a rock. I have played with new Penns too, they seen excessively bouncy when a fresh can is popped and very light on the racquet compared to the Wilsons USO. But I have a case to go through for now. Maybe I will change my mind, every one on the message boards raves about the USO ball from Wilson but never mentions he weight or hardness of the ball.

 

[heavyD]

My brother and I have been using Dunlop ATP balls nearly exclusively as they seem to keep their bounce the longest. Penn Marathon is unusually 2nd choice. I won't spend my own money on Wilson USO balls as they go soft way too fast.

 

[Injured Again]

Here's some interesting reading:

Tennis Ball Performance Testing

Study to determine the energy return and bounce velocity of tennis balls.

twu.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[Vicious49]

You have a discount code from the USTA for $44 that you can use on a case of balls. The price of case is $120. the men use extra duty and the women use regular duty.

I just used their chat function to see why I didn't receive a discount email for Wilson. Supposedly the discount went in to effect on 10/13/22. Even though my membership says I'm a member since 10/18 they renewed on 10/5. So because of some accounting technicality on their side on when they do the renewals I missed out so will have to wait an entire year for the code. Pretty cruddy IMO but whatever.