That said, tennis is an incredibly fun sport; a lot of people, young and old, enjoy playing. It is a racket sport in which two or four players hit a ball back and forth over a net. The object used to play with in this game is called a tennis ball. A tennis ball is a spherical rubber ball. They are bright yellow with a soft, fuzzy surface, and filled with air that helps them bounce.
Tennis has been played for centuries, but the tennis ball itself has a relatively recent history. The first tennis ball was devised in the 1500s. It was made out of leather stuffed with hair, so it differed from the balls of modern football. Over time, people began encasing tennis balls in a fluffy material and encasing that in felt. The first tennis balls entered production in the 1800s, and subsequently have become cannon fodder in the game we know, love — and now play.
First of all, tennis balls have evolved over the years. The initial tennis balls were heavy and were thus difficult to hit and did not get a great bounce. New rubber technology allows us to create lighter, bouncier tennis balls that play better. Tennis balls today are manufactured to be a particular weight and size so that they bounce just right when they hit the ground or when they are struck by a racket.
Like everything else, tennis balls can be developed in new ways to enhance the game. Starting in the 1980s quite a few players began training at high altitudes, meaning that they were training reasonably far above sea level. This resulted in manufacturers producing special tennis balls for utilization in such courts. At high altitude, there is a lower air pressure that can have an impact on the bounce of a ball.
Today, manufacturers are striving to make tennis balls faster, more consistent and easier for players to control in matches. One example is some brands have developed pressureless tennis balls. These balls bounce longer, meaning they don't require changing as often. Not necessarily great for the environment, but at least that means less tennis balls will be wasted to environment.
Tennis balls are manufactured to be a certain color, too. Yellow is picked simply because it's the most visible and easy to watch, be it on the TV or live. This is especially helpful because the tennis court is generally green and the yellow ball contrasts strongly with the surroundings. This enables players and spectators to track the ball better throughout the match.
It is impossible to play tennis without tennis balls. They are the unique tool that allows the game to be played. Without tennis balls, the game itself was literally impossible to play. The regulations governing the weight and size of each ball are designed so that every athlete enjoys a consistent experience when playing little handball regardless of the kind of court.