Best Tennis Balls for Every Playing Need
-
Penn Championship Regular Duty Tennis Ball -
Wilson Prime All Court Tennis Ball -
Penn Championship Extra Duty Tennis Ball -
Wilson Championship Extra Duty Tennis Ball -
Penn Championship Extra Duty Felt Pressurized Tennis Ball -
Gamma Quick Kids 36 Foam Ball -
Penn Coach Pressurized Tennis Ball -
Penn QST 60 Tennis Ball -
Buyer's Guide
All suitable tennis balls have to conform to standard size and weights restrictions. They have to be between 2.575–2.700 inches and they have to weigh between 1.975–2.095 ounces. I'm old enough to remember when tennis balls were all white, but in 1972 the current "optic yellow" (a vibrant chartreuse) was introduced and later became the standard. If you search, you can find tennis balls in other colors, but we'll stay with the basics here.
When you play tennis you have a wide range of options for best tennis balls in 2022. The ball makers designate their products as being in the categories of recreational, championship, or professional. Serious tennis players will opt for championship or professional quality tennis balls, but the best tennis balls for you depend on your level of play and what you are going to be using the balls for. For example, if you are using a ball machine, then "practice" balls may be perfectly fine for you. These are often either used pressurized balls or new pressure-less balls.
If you are playing on a clay court, there are balls designed specifically for that surface. If you are playing at high altitudes, then it's important to consider high-altitude balls because regular pressurized balls will fly noticeably faster at 4,000 or more feet above sea level.
On a hard court it helps to look for heavy duty felt balls rather than regular duty, which will wear out faster and are better for softer surfaces. Here are the best choices for tennis balls as each of these picks meet the required above specifications, the quality of production is reliable, and their quality of play is consistent.
The Best Tennis Ball Models of 2022 in Detail
Penn Championship Regular Duty Tennis Ball - Best Tennis Balls Overall
The Penn ATP has a very consistent feel and I've found it to maintain a little longer than the Wilson US Open tennis ball, which is the main reason it ranks first on the list. The ATP ball is used in ATP matches throughout the world and in three of the four biggest US tennis events each year. The ATP ball has SMART OPTIK felt that Penn says is 19 percent brighter than a standard tennis ball. The ATP Ball, like its cousin, the ProPenn, feels heavier and firmer than some other choices. If you're experiencing any elbow problems, going with something softer may be the better part of valor for the time being.
Wilson Prime All Court Tennis Ball - Runner Up
This has been the official ball of the US Open since 1978 when the tournament moved from the West Side Tennis Club at Forest Hills to the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows. The extra-duty ball plays very consistently straight out of the can. However, you may find that the bounce and feel of the ball subsides faster than you'd like.
Remember, in professional tournaments they bring in new balls after the first seven games, and then every nine games thereafter. So the pros are never hitting with what normal players would consider "used" tennis balls. Once you are in the second set, you’re using tennis balls that almost assuredly would have been swapped out in a pro match. If you are serious about the game, bring two cans to your match.
Penn Championship Extra Duty Tennis Ball - Honorable Mention
Penn Championship balls are one of the mainstays of what you'll find on tennis courts all over and one reason for that that some warehouse stores sell them in bulk. You'll find they play a little lighter and quicker than the Penn ATP or ProPenn and in hotter climates (think a dry summer day in Arizona) that extra zip might mean some of your shots are going to fly long. Still, this is a great go-to ball for most recreational, league, or tournament players. At the upper skill levels, players may find the ball less controllable than Professional-level balls from Penn or other brands.
Wilson Championship Extra Duty Tennis Ball - Consider
Brand loyalty plays a large part in which tennis ball you like, and for Wilson fans, the Wilson Championship extra-duty ball plays the same role as the Penn Championship extra-duty ball does for those who like Penn. Being upfront, I generally look for Penn, but I respect Wilson. The Wilson Championship ball is a consistently good ball for serious players and those just out for a little fun in the sun.
Here's a challenge for the serious players: open a can of Penn Championship balls and a can of Wilson Championship balls and mix them up. Close your eyes and pick them up and see if you can tell which is which other than by feeling the brand marking. I can tell which is which more often than not, but sometimes I get it wrong, which is a reminder not to blame the ball if you're having a bad day.
Penn Championship Extra Duty Felt Pressurized Tennis Ball - Best Practice Tennis Balls
The Penn Championship tennis ball is the best selling tennis ball in the USA. It's a pressurized ball, and cheaper than the more durable, higher-quality Penn ATP or ProPenn. Still, it's a ball that will play well for at least two sets of most competitive singles at the NTRP 4.5 level or lower. After that, the Penn Championship ball is still good for the ball hopper and can serve for drilling practice for a long time to come.
Gamma Quick Kids 36 Foam Ball - Best Practice Tennis Balls
If you're a junior who's 10 or under and just starting to learn tennis, your best practice ball is likely going to be the Gamma Quick Kids 36 foam ball. The ball is bigger than a usual tennis ball and designed to travel 75 percent slower than a typical ball. The 10 and under age group, especially 8 and under, is encouraged to play on a smaller court that's 36 feet in length, the width of a regular court including the doubles alleys. In a smaller court, you need a slower ball, and the Gamma Quick Kids 36 offers a soft experience giving youngsters a fun experience with a lot more positive results.
Penn Coach Pressurized Tennis Ball - Best Practice Tennis Balls
If you are looking for pressureless tennis balls, Penn makes good ones and you can purchase them generally in lots of 12, 24, or 48. The rubber on pressureless balls is thicker than in standard pressurized balls and this makes them last longer, particularly in ball machines. Pressureless balls do however feel more "dead" than pressurized balls; if you have arm troubles you may find them not to your liking. Penn pressureless balls come in a mesh netting for the 12 pack, and a nice bucket for the 48 pack.
Penn QST 60 Tennis Ball - Best Practice Tennis Balls
The Penn Green Dot tennis ball is designed to travel 25 percent slower than its pressurized counterparts. Accomplished players don't need the extra time or the slower pace, so this is a ball that's really specific to beginners and some juniors. However, it’s good practice ball option for individuals who want more time on shots to set up and go through their motions. It's intended for use on a full court, rather than the shorter court dimensions now being favored for younger players. These balls are intended for youths aged 11 and up.
Buyer's Guide
When it comes to purchasing the best tennis ball, one that fulfills all your needs, you should know exactly what it is that you’re looking for. And don’t worry, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Even someone who has played tennis their whole life can not know the difference between each ball which can significantly impact their performance.
So in order to choose the right kind of tennis ball for you, the first and the most important thing you need to do is assess what your tennis needs are and then buy something that caters to those needs. Our guide will help you face this overwhelming task as it breaks down all the imperative factors you should be considering when buying the best tennis ball based on your age, level and court surface. Let’s get started!
How To Choose The Best Tennis Ball?
Pressurized vs. Pressureless?
One of the biggest differences you can find between tennis balls is the pressure. Some are pressurized which means these balls have been made through a process that adds internal air pressure to the balls which helps them bounce quite high whereas pressureless tennis balls don’t have any compressed air inside them. This means these balls don’t bounce quite as high as pressurized balls do with many people considering them as “slower” balls.
Pressurized balls are usually the most common balls you find on the court with all major tennis tournaments using them as official balls too.
Since it is common for every tennis player to use pressurized balls, you will find the packaging stating if the balls are pressureless so you know what to steer clear of. But if you’re still in doubt then it is safe to assume that if your balls come inside a package that is vacuum-sealed then they are 100% likely to be pressurized balls. But if they come packed in a box or mesh then they’re usually just plain old pressureless balls.
Regular Duty vs. Extra Duty?
Another significant difference between tennis balls is that some are regular duty while others extra duty balls. While this difference is not as noticeable as the pressure in the tennis balls, it is the factor that determines how long your balls will last. And of course, you need them to last a long time. No one likes replacing things and spending money to buy more.
When it comes to extra duty, these balls are made of more nylon than wool whereas it is the opposite for regular duty balls. This is what makes the extra duty tennis balls feel fluffier than the regular ones, making them move slower and hence, last longer on hard courts. Whereas, regular duty tend to move faster in comparison which means that they’re the ideal choice if you’re playing on softer surfaces like grass which don’t wear out the balls as quickly as hard courts do.
Professional vs. Championship?
Now, the last important difference between most tennis balls is that some are professional while others are championship tennis balls. Professional balls give the user a better feel when playing but they can usually be more costly and less likely to last a long period of time. Hence, they are mostly used only for professional tournaments.
Whereas, championship balls tend to be more easy on the pocket and are durable which is why many sporting stores keep them around. These balls are made of great quality and happen to be the perfect choice if you’re looking for a tennis ball for practice matches.
Now that you’re clear on what the different types of tennis balls you can find on the market are, the next step is to see how you will choose the tennis balls you need. And in order to do that, it is important to determine who is going to be using the balls.
Who Is Going To Use The Tennis Balls?
Kids
If you’re looking for tennis balls for young kids who are just starting out, then you’ll need balls that not only help them learn the game but are also safe to play with. Thankfully, tennis balls are available for all levels which means you can find something for your kids to use, no matter what their age is.
Recreational Players
If you’re someone who just likes to play a few times a month for recreational purposes then consider a tennis ball that is more durable so you don’t have to skip out on your playing days just because your tennis ball is all worn out.
Professionals
Professional tennis players should opt for the same ball that they know is going to be used in the tournament they will compete in. This will help them get accustomed to the speed and bounce of the ball beforehand.
Players With Injuries
Much like beginners, players that have injuries should be careful when picking a tennis ball, opting for the softer ones that will help them avoid further aggravations to their injuries. And if you especially suffer from tennis elbow then getting the right kind of ball can help you minimize the pain.
FAQs
How long do tennis balls last?
How long a tennis ball will last depends on the level of game, ball type and most times on the overall weather too. There is no actual time limit as the durability of tennis balls is gauged by their bounce and fur. But on an average, tennis balls for beginners tend to last for 2-3 sessions, intermediate for 1-2 sessions and professionals for 1-2 sets.
What brand of tennis ball bounces the most?
Many people opt for DUNLOP tennis balls because of their bounce ability. However, every ball is different so it all just depends on the type you get.
How often should I replace my tennis balls?
Tennis balls should ideally be replaced after every set you play. Changing your balls frequently can help you improve your performance as the newer the balls are, the better they are to play with.
What tennis ball do professionals use?
Professional tennis players use balls according to their upcoming tournaments. However, the Australian Open tends to use the DUNLOP AO tennis ball as the official one.
