Tennis Balls Are Getting Slower: What It Means for Rallies, Your Body, and Your Game

Points are lasting longer than they used to, and tennis balls are part of the reason. Longer rallies make great viewing, but players say the cost shows up in their wrists, elbows, and shoulders. Here is how the slowdown happened, why pro tournaments swap balls so often, and which tennis balls are used from league play to college tennis.

Why Tennis Balls Have Gotten Slower

Decades ago, organizers embraced the idea that longer rallies make better entertainment, which led to slower courts and less lively balls. Wimbledon moved to 100% ryegrass in the early 2000s for a higher, slower bounce, and around the same time the ITF approved a slow Type 3 ball as an option, though the standard Type 2 ball remains by far the most common. Extra duty felt, with its heavier nap, became the norm on hard courts.

Under ITF rules, balls are classified as Type 1 (fast), Type 2 (medium, the standard), and Type 3 (slow), with a separate high-altitude ball for play at elevation. Type 1 is meant for slow surfaces such as clay and Type 3 for fast surfaces such as grass, but Type 2 is the standard in practice.

The Cost: Slower Balls and Wear on the Body

A slower ball asks more of the person hitting it. You generate more of the pace yourself, and you hit more shots per point. Daniil Medvedev has said the balls are getting heavier and the courts slower and has voiced concern about shoulder pain. Alexander Zverev has pointed to balls losing pressure quickly and linked that to arm injuries. Novak Djokovic has tied frequent wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries to constant ball changes.

It is worth being straightforward: this is a strong and growing concern among players and some medical voices, but it is not settled science. An eleven-month season and slower courts play a role too. For recreational players, a flat, dead ball has a similar effect, since you swing harder for the same result.

Why Pro Tournaments Change Balls Every Week

There is no single official ball in pro tennis. Each tournament picks its own supplier, so players adjust to a different brand and feel from one event to the next. The four Grand Slams all use different balls:

• Australian Open: Dunlop
• Roland Garros: Babolat
• Wimbledon: Slazenger, the supplier since 1902
• US Open: Wilson

Djokovic and others have called for a standardized ball. Within a match, fresh balls come out after the first seven games and then every nine games.

Which Tennis Balls Are Used in USTA, Nationals, and College

• USTA League: Rules vary by section, but most sections require either the home team or the visiting team to provide the balls for league matches. USTA provides a list of approved tennis balls to choose from, so the brand can change from match to match. Penn Championship, for example, comes in extra duty felt for hard courts, regular duty felt, and a high-altitude version.
• USTA National Championships: Wilson US Open Extra Duty balls are used, supposedly the same ball played at the US Open.
  
• College tennis: Dunlop became the official ball of the ITA and college tennis, with all ITA sanctioned events using Dunlop balls beginning July 1, 2024. Wilson held that role for decades before the switch.

What This Means for Your Own Game

• Match the ball to the court. Extra duty felt is built for abrasive hard courts, while regular duty suits clay and indoor surfaces.
• Retire dead balls. If a ball sounds flat and bounces low, swap it out.
• Practice with your competition ball. Check which ball your section and home courts use, then practice with it so you know how it plays.
• Protect your arm with your equipment. A lower RA racquet and softer strings can reduce shock. See our guide to arm friendly racquets for options.

Quick FAQ

Are tennis balls really slower than they used to be? While racquet technology allows for faster and more powerful swings, the sport has moved toward slower surfaces and heavier feeling balls to encourage longer rallies, and many current pros say the trend continues.

Do slower tennis balls cause injuries? Players and some sports medicine experts link slow, heavy, or inconsistent balls to more wrist, elbow, and shoulder strain, but a definitive link has not been established.

What ball is used in USTA League matches? It depends on your section, but most require either the home team or the visiting team to provide the balls, chosen from a list of approved tennis balls from USTA. Your captain or local league coordinator can confirm the rule for your section.

What ball is used at USTA Nationals? Wilson US Open Extra Duty.

What ball does college tennis use? Dunlop, the official ball of the ITA since July 2024.

Your Turn: What Is Your Favorite Tennis Ball?

Penn, Wilson, Dunlop, Babolat, or Slazenger? Whether you love the feel of a fresh can or swear by one brand for match play, what is your favorite tennis ball?