Pressurised or pressureless, hard court or clay court ball? All the differences, including junior balls.
All tennis balls look alike, but their inner construction, felt and bounce differ. The right ball shapes both how the game feels and how long the ball lasts.
Pressurised and pressureless balls
| Pressurised | Pressureless | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Filled with pressurised air; the pressure drops over time once the can is opened | The rubber itself provides the bounce |
| Feel | Lively, fast, match feel | Feels harder and heavier |
| Lifespan | Short; goes flat within a few sessions after opening | Long; usable until the felt wears out |
| Use | Matches and regular play | Training, ball machines, ball baskets |
Balls by surface
- Hard court balls (extra duty): Thicker felt that wears more slowly on hard courts.
- Clay court balls (regular duty): Thinner felt that picks up less clay and doesn’t get heavy.
- All-court balls: A middle ground between the two surfaces.
The ITF also classifies balls by speed (slow, medium, fast). For a club player, the most important distinction is felt that suits the surface.
Junior and starter balls
| Ball | Characteristics | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Foam | Very slow and soft | Very young children, indoors |
| Red | Much slower and lower-bouncing than a standard ball | Children starting on a small court |
| Orange | Medium-slow | Children progressing on a mid-size court |
| Green | Close to a standard ball, slightly slower | Children moving to a full court and adult beginners |
Green balls can also help adult beginners because they make rallying easier. For the children’s stages, see this article.
When should you replace balls?
- When a pressurised ball bounces noticeably less,
- When the felt has worn and the ball looks “bald”,
- When the ball has got wet and heavy.
Playing with dead balls ruins your timing and puts more strain on your arm.
For the full equipment list, have a look at tennis equipment.