There’s no feeling quite as glorious as the return of tennis season, whether you’re an avid spectator or seasoned player.
From digging into a punnet’s worth of strawberries and cream and sipping on Pimm’s while perched on Murray Mound, to organising miniature round-the-world tournaments with our friends and neighbours – British summertime and tennis certainly make a wonderful combination.
During the legendary SW19 tournament in 2023, we held our breaths as 20-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz won the Wimbledon Men’s Singles title, ending Novak Djokovic’s 34-match winning streak at the All England Club. Likewise, Marketa Vondrousova made history as the first unseeded winner of the Women’s Singles title at Wimbledon, following her impressive final match against Ons Jabeur.
Both jaw-dropping games had us perched on the edge of our seats, celebrating as though we’re members of the family. We don’t know about you, but Wimbledon season always gives us the urge to get outside and start practicing our serves. It certainly helps when the weather is glorious, and we’ve just purchased a brand-new tennis outfit to show off.
While there’s plenty information available on just what kind of tennis racket and general kit one should purchase when getting into the classic summer game, even the most avid players tend to get lost when it comes to purchasing the right set of tennis balls. Luckily, we’re here to answer all of your burning questions, as well as provide a round-up of the best tennis balls to help perfect your serve.
What makes one tennis ball different from another?
Surprisingly, there are a lot of different types of tennis ball. Aside from the high-end professional models made from more premium materials, the main differentiation between tennis balls is based on what surface they are played on. There are four main categories:
- Regular Duty: the standard when it comes to tennis balls, and can be used on most courts
- Extra Duty: tennis balls which are manufactured with more felt, making them suited to hard-court play
- Hi-Altitude: designed for use on courts with higher elevations
In addition, there’s a difference between pressurised and pressureless balls – the former is used for professional gameplay, while the latter is for recreational play and general practice – mainly for kids and beginners.
Without further ado, keep scrolling for a round-up of the best tennis balls on the market.
Best tennis balls at a glance:
- Best for an all-rounder: Slazenger Wimbledon Tennis Balls – 3x4 Tin - £28.98, Amazon
- Best for extra-duty: Wilson Champ Extra Duty Tennis Balls - £5, Amazon
- Best for hi-tech performance: Wilson Triniti Tennis Balls - £13.63, Amazon
- Best for budget-friendly: Head Championship Tennis Balls - £4.90, Decathlon
- Best for a need for speed: Wilson Speed Tennis Balls Roland Garros All Court Twin 4-Pack – Yellow - £10.99, Decathlon
- Best for low-pressure ball for kids: TB120 Kids’ Match Pressure Tennis Ball Tri-Pack - £4.79, Decathlon
- Best for hi-altitude tennis ball: Penn Championship Tennis Balls - Extra Duty Felt Pressurized Tennis Balls - £22.50, Amazon
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Slazenger Wimbledon Tennis Balls – 3x4 Tin
Best for: all-rounder
Save on this multipack of Championship-approved tennis balls from Slazenger, with each of the three tins containing four all-surface tennis balls. Fluorescent yellow for high visibility and complete with hydroguard technology for that unreliable British weather – if these tennis balls are good enough for Wimbledon, they’re good enough for us.
Buy now £28.98, Amazon
Wilson Champ Extra Duty Tennis Balls
Best for: extra-duty
For a classic, extra-duty tennis ball perfect for use on hard courts, look no further than Wilson. The inner core is made from dura-weave for increased play-time and extra durability.
Buy now £5.00, Amazon
Wilson Triniti Tennis Balls
Best for: hi-tech performance
The first of their kind for Wilson, these high-performance tennis balls are for the players who really know their stuff. These tennis balls have been crafted using what the brand has dubbed Engage Core technology. The core is made from a combination of flexible polymer and durable plastics which provides that new ball feeling for up to four times longer than a regular ball. Plus, these tennis balls are housed in fully recyclable packaging.
Buy now £13.63, Amazon
Head Championship Tennis Balls
Best for: budget friendly
A value-for-money which doesn’t compromise on performance, the Championship tennis balls from Head are a great option for both seasoned club players and beginners. Made from extra-thick wool felt with a pressurised core, these balls are suitable for hard-court and regular court play.
Buy now £4.90, Decathlon
Wilson Speed Tennis Balls Roland Garros All Court Twin 4-Pack – Yellow
Designed with the liveliest players in mind, these Roland Garros tennis balls from Wilson will keep up with you whether you’re playing on hard or clay courts.
Buy now £10.99, Decathlon
Artengo TB120 Kids’ Match Pressure Tennis Ball Tri-Pack
Best for: low-pressure ball for kids
The designers over at Decathlon’s own brand, Artengo, created these low-pressure tennis balls for young tennis players who are preparing for their first competitive matches. Lower-pressure tennis balls are essential for younger players, as they can be played at slower speeds with a lower bounce.
Buy now £4.79, Decathlon
Penn Championship Tennis Balls - Extra Duty Felt Pressurized Tennis Balls
Best for: hi-altitude tennis ball
Just like Slazenger is the official supplier for Wimbledon, Penn is the official sponsor of the USTA leagues in the States. The interlocking wool fibre technology makes these tennis balls fantastic for hard courts in particular, but they’re also suitable for all turfs – especially those at higher altitudes.
Buy now £22.50, Amazon
What colour is a tennis ball?
Most tennis balls used in both recreational and professional tennis are a bright, fluorescent yellow colour, which ensures they can be seen in all conditions, and on all types of turf.
Though many mistake tennis balls for being green, they often appear to have a greenish tint when played on grass or AstroTurf.
Why are so many tennis balls yellow?
The International Tennis Federation ruled in 1972 that all professional tennis balls should be that signature fluorescent yellow, the vast majority of manufacturers have only produced tennis balls in the pro-grade colourway.
What are tennis balls made from?
Tennis balls are made from a two-piece rubber and felt shell, which is moulded together to form a hollow core. This core is then injected with pressurised air for that unbeatable bounce.
How many tennis balls are used at Wimbledon and how many should I have?
Slazenger is the official supplier of tennis balls at Wimbledon. The brand ensures that a whopping 55,000 tennis balls are supplied during the two-week championship period, plus another couple thousand for use on practice courts.
It goes without saying that a regular tennis player won’t need that many tennis balls. A casual player typically uses three tennis balls per game, which is why they come in those handy three-ball canisters. These can be re-used over time during friendlies, but more avid players might want to switch them out for every set they play.
