Written by Mark Sampson
POINTS
- Tennis players take three balls to choose the best two to play in their match. They often choose a new ball with a flat exterior or a fluffier ball.
- Playing with a deflated ball is possible, but the match would be sluggish and slow, with decreased control.
- Choosing to play with a smooth ball will make the game go faster but decrease control.
- Should you play with an older, fluffy ball? Sometimes, yes—it can give you more control than the smooth new balls.
Why does a tennis player need to take three balls? By having the opportunity to choose three balls, the player can pick the perfect ball for the match. Do they want a new smooth ball? An older, fluffier ball? A deflated ball?
These choices give them greater control during the game. It can make the difference between losing a point and gaining a point. This article will review why players take three balls, play with a deflated ball, play with a smooth ball, play with a fluffier ball, check for smoothness, and the best ways to make a serve harder to return. If you want to learn more and see our FAQ on the topic, keep reading.
Why do tennis players take three balls?
Tennis players take three balls to choose the best two to play in their match. They often choose a new ball with a flat exterior or a fluffier ball. This allows players to check the overall quality of the balls—whether they are deflated, cracked, or fluffy. Additionally, this gives the players more control over their serve and the game.
Playing with a deflated ball
Can you play with a deflated ball? The amount of pressure inside the tennis ball is responsible for its bounce and the height of the bounce. Over time, the pressure inside the ball reduces, and new balls are needed.
Playing with a deflated ball is possible, but the match would be sluggish and slow, with decreased control. However, it can be helpful if you want to throw your opponent off track with a slower serve.
Playing with a smooth ball
Choosing to play with a smooth ball will make the game go faster. It decreases control, but it also has a more aggressive serve. This may throw your opponent off guard and give you the point.
Playing with a fluffy ball
Should you play with an older, fluffy ball? Sometimes, yes. It can give you more control than the smooth new balls. A fluffy ball also moves slower, which may throw your opponent off guard and give you the point.
Checking for smoothness before serving
Should you check the smoothness of your ball before serving? Yes. This will help you decide which type of ball you want to use. When using a smooth flat ball, the serve will go faster and decrease your opponent’s response time. When using a fluffier ball, the serve is slower, but you have more control. Assessing these qualities gives you a better chance of scoring a point and winning the game.
Making it harder to return the serve
It is essential to mix up your serve during a match. What is the main goal in mixing up your serve? To keep your opponent guessing and make it hard to return the ball.
To mix up your serve, you can use placement. You can hit a wide serve and move your opponent toward the boundaries of the court. You can hit the ball straight toward them and throw them off guard. Placement of the serve allows you to aim for your opponent’s weaker areas and control more points.
You can also use spins. When serving, there are four different types of spins—flat spin, slice spin, topspin spin, and kick spin. Each one of these serves has advantages and disadvantages. If you use all four in a match, your opponent will always have to be on their toes. This gives you a greater chance of making the point.
Speed is another critical aspect of making it harder to return the serve. When you mix up speeds, it makes it harder for your opponent to know how to react. Your opponent might swing early or late, missing the ball and giving you the point.
Stance is also important. If you stand wide, then you can serve at a greater angle. This might lead your opponent off the court and give you the point.
FAQ
Why do tennis players take more balls than they need?
Tennis players take more balls than they need so that they can choose the best balls to use during the match. If the ball is smoother, it will go faster. If the ball is fluffier, it will go slower and give you more control. The player can choose which type of ball is best for the situation. This gives them a better chance of winning a point.
How do tennis players choose which ball to use?
How do you know the right ball to choose? If you want the ball to go faster when you serve, choose a new smooth ball. If you want more control and for the ball to move slower, then select an older, fluffier ball. Having the option to choose can impact the course of the game. It increases the chance that you will make a point.
Why do tennis players keep balls in their pockets?
Tennis players keep balls in their pockets for easy access. The ball could deflate, crack, or decrease in quality, leaving the player stuck. If they have another ball on hand or in their pocket, it is easier for the player to quickly switch the balls before their serve. This gives the player more control over the situation and increases their chances of making a point.
Final Thoughts
Players get to choose their balls, deciding between different qualities. These aspects can give players better control of the situation and increase their chances of winning a point. If they want the ball to go faster, they can use a smooth ball.
If they want more control or for the ball to move slower, then they can use a fluffier ball. If they aim to choose the inflation level of the ball, they have that option too. All of these choices impact each point as well as the game. Now that you know the best tennis balls to choose from, go ahead and give it a shot!