Tennis Ball: Type 1 (FAST) Type 2 (Medium) Type 3 (SLOW) High Altitude Mass (Weight)

Tennis Ball
Balls, which are approved for play under the Rules of Tennis, must comply with
the specifications the below specifications
a. The ball shall have a uniform outer surface consisting of a fabric cover and
shall be white or yellow in color. If there are any seams they shall be stitch
less.
b. More than one type of ball is specified. The ball shall conform to the
requirements shown in the table below.
TYPE 1 TYPE 2 TYPE 3 HIGH ALTITUDE3

(FAST) (MEDIUM)1 (SLOW)2
MASS (WEIGHT) 56.0-59.4 grams 56.0-59.4 grams 56.0-59.4 grams 56.0-59.4 grams
(1.975-2.095 ounces) (1.975-2.095 ounces) (1.975-2.095 ounces) (1.975-2.095 ounces)
SIZE 6.54-6.86 cm (2.57- 6.54-6.86 cm (2.57- 7.00-7.30 cm (2.76- 6.54-6.86 cm (2.57-

2.70 inches) 2.70 inches) 2.87 inches) 2.70 inches)
REBOUND 135-147 cm (53-58 135-147 cm (53-58 135-147 cm (53-58 122-135 cm (48-53

inches) inches) inches) inches)
FORWARD 0.495-0.600 cm 0.560-0.740 cm 0.560-0.740 cm 0.560-0.740 cm

DEFORMATION4 (0.195-0.236 inches) (0.220-0.291 inches) (0.220-0.291 inches) (0.220-0.291 inches)
RETURN 0.670-0.915 cm 0.800-1.080 cm 0.800-1.080 cm 0.800-1.080 cm

DEFORMATION4 (0.264-0.360 inches) (0.315-0.425 inches) (0.315-0.425 inches) (0.315-0.425 inches)
Notes:
1 This ball may be pressurized or pressure less. The pressure less ball shall have an internal pressure that is
no greater than 7 kPa (1 psi) and may be used for high altitude play above 1,219 m (4,000 feet) above sea
level and shall have been acclimatized for 60 days or more at the altitude of the specific tournament.
2 This ball is also recommended for high altitude play on any court surface type above 1,219 m (4,000 feet)
above sea level.
3 This ball is pressurized and is an additional ball specified for high altitude play above 1,219 m (4,000 feet)
above sea level only.
4 The deformation shall be the average of a single reading along each of three perpendicular axes. No two
individual readings shall differ by more than .075 cm (.030 inches).
c. c. All tests for rebound, size and deformation shall be made in accordance
with the Regulations for making tests below.
REGULATIONS FOR MAKING TESTS
i. Unless otherwise specified all tests shall be made at a temperature of

approximately 20º Celsius (68º Fahrenheit), a relative humidity of
approximately 60% and, unless otherwise specified, an atmospheric
pressure of approximately 102 kPa (30 inches Hg). All balls shall be
removed from their container and kept at the recognized temperature and
humidity for 24 hours prior to testing, and shall be at that temperature and
humidity when the test is commenced.
ii. Other standards may be fixed for localities where the average temperature,
humidity or average barometric pressure at which the game is being played
differ materially from 20º Celsius (68º Fahrenheit), 60% relative humidity
and 102 kPa (30 inches Hg) respectively.
Applications for such adjusted standards may be made by any National
Association to the International Tennis Federation and, if approved, shall be
adopted for such localities.
iii. In all tests for diameter, a ring gauge shall be used consisting of a metal
plate, preferably non-corrosive, of a uniform thickness of 0.318 cm (0.125
inches). In the case of Ball Type 1 (fast speed) and Ball Type 2 (medium
speed) balls there shall be two circular openings in the plate measuring 6.54
cm (2.57 inches) and 6.86 cm (2.70 inches) in diameter respectively. In the
case of Ball Type 3 (slow speed) balls there shall be two circular openings
in the plate measuring 7.00 cm (2.76 inches) and 7.30 cm (2.87 inches) in
diameter respectively. The inner surface of the gauge shall have a convex
profile with a radius of 0.160 cm (0.063 inches). The ball shall not drop
through the smaller opening by its own weight in any orientation and shall
drop through the larger opening by its own weight in all orientations.
iv. In all tests for deformation conducted under Rule 3, the machine designed
by Percy Herbert Stevens and patented in Great Britain under Patent No.
230250, together with the subsequent additions and improvements thereto,
including the modifications required to take return deformations, shall be
employed. Other machines may be specified which give equivalent
readings to the Stevens machine and these may be used for testing ball
deformation where such machines have been given approval by the
International Tennis Federation.
v. The procedure for carrying out tests is as follows and should take place in
the order specified:
a. Pre-compression – before any ball is tested it shall be steadily

compressed by approximately 2.54 cm (1 inch) on each of three
diameters at right angles to one another in succession; this process to
be carried out three times (nine compressions in all). All tests are to
be completed within two hours of pre compression.
b. Weight (mass) test.
c. Size test (as in paragraph iii. above).
d. Deformation test – the ball is placed in position on the modified
Stevens machine so that neither platen of the machine is in contact
with the cover seam. The contact weight is applied, the pointer and
the mark brought level, and the dials set to zero. The test weight is
placed on the beam in a position that is equivalent to a load of 8.2 kg
(18 lb) on the ball, after which the wheel is turned at a uniform speed
such that five seconds elapse from the instant the beam leaves its
seat until the pointer is brought level with the mark. When turning
ceases the reading is recorded (forward deformation). The wheel is
turned again until figure ten is reached on the scale (2.54 cm {1inch}
deformation). The wheel is then rotated in the opposite direction at a
uniform speed (thus releasing pressure) until the beam pointer again
coincides with the mark. After waiting ten seconds, the pointer is
adjusted to the mark if necessary. The reading is then recorded
(return deformation). This procedure is repeated on each ball across
the two diameters at right angles to the initial position and to each
other.
e. Rebound test (as above) – the ball is dropped from 254 cm (100
inches) onto a smooth rigid and horizontal surface. Measurements of
both drop height and rebound height are to be taken from the surface
to the bottom of the ball.
The International Tennis Federation shall rule on the question of whether any ball
or prototype complies with Appendix I or is otherwise approved, or not approved,
for play. Such ruling may be taken on its own initiative, or upon application by
any party with a bona fide interest therein, including any player, equipment
manufacturer or National Association or members thereof. Such rulings and
applications shall be made in accordance with the applicable Review and Hearing
Procedures of the International Tennis Federation.
The event organizers must announce in advance of the event:
a. The number of balls for play (2, 3, 4 or 6).
b. The ball change policy, if any.
Ball changes, if any, can be made either:

i. After an agreed odd number of games, in which case, the first ball change
in the match shall take place two games earlier than for the rest of the
match, to make allowance for the warm-up. A tie-break game counts as one
game for the ball change. A ball change shall not take place at the
beginning of a tiebreak game. In this case, the ball change shall be delayed
until the beginning of the second game of the next set; or At the beginning
of a set If a ball gets broken during play, the point shall be replayed.
Case 1: If a ball is soft at the end of a point, should the point be replayed?
Decision: If the ball is soft, not broken, the point shall not be replayed.
Note: Any ball to be used in a tournament that is played under the Rules of Tennis,
must be named on the official ITF list of approved balls issued by the International
Tennis Federation.

Tennis Ball: Type 1 (FAST) Type 2 (Medium) Type 3 (SLOW) High Altitude Mass (Weight)

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Tennis Ball: Type 1 (FAST) Type 2 (Medium) Type 3 (SLOW) High Altitude Mass (Weight)

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Tennis Ball

TYPE 1 TYPE 2 TYPE 3 HIGH ALTITUDE3

SIZE 6.54-6.86 cm (2.57- 6.54-6.86 cm (2.57- 7.00-7.30 cm (2.76- 6.54-6.86 cm (2.57-

REBOUND 135-147 cm (53-58 135-147 cm (53-58 135-147 cm (53-58 122-135 cm (48-53

FORWARD 0.495-0.600 cm 0.560-0.740 cm 0.560-0.740 cm 0.560-0.740 cm

RETURN 0.670-0.915 cm 0.800-1.080 cm 0.800-1.080 cm 0.800-1.080 cm

i. Unless otherwise specified all tests shall be made at a temperature of

a. Pre-compression – before any ball is tested it shall be steadily

Ball changes, if any, can be made either:

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