8 Best Tennis Balls in 2023 | Buyer’s Guide

Choosing the right tennis ball can make a big difference. The best tennis balls are durable, have a consistent bounce, and provide a good feel on the court.

In this article, we’ll review some of the best tennis balls on the market and help you choose the right ones for your needs. We’ll also provide tips on how to choose the right type of tennis ball and what to look out for.

So whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, this is the guide for you!

Quick Summary

8 Best Tennis Balls in 2023

1. Wilson US Open Extra Duty Tennis Balls

Price: $$

The Wilson US Open Extra Duty is my pick for the best tennis ball in 2023.

Since 1979, the Wilson US Open Extra Duty tennis balls have been used at Flushing Meadows. Made out of premium felt, these balls provide a consistent performance that all players love.

The exceptional durability of these tennis balls means they are perfect for withstanding abrasive hard courts. Even after multiple sessions, the Wilson US Open Extra Duty balls were in excellent condition.

However, compared to some of the others on this list, I did find the Wilson US Open balls to be slightly slower.

Specs

2. Dunlop Australian Open Extra Duty Tennis Balls

Price: $$

For the past 5 years, the Dunlop Australian Open Extra Duty tennis balls have been used at the major in Melbourne.

Dunlop’s HD Core technology is used in these tennis balls to give great durability and consistency. Furthermore, this ball has been wrapped in HD Pro Cloth to ensure exceptional playability for the most advanced players.

Even though this tennis ball is designed for hard court play, I found that they still performed great on clay and grass.

While the Dunlop Australian Open Extra Duty tennis balls are very durable, I didn’t find them as durable as the Wilson US Open Extra Duty balls.

Specs

3. Penn Tour Tennis Balls

Price: $$

The Penn Tour is the most used tennis ball in ATP tournaments in the United States.

These tennis balls feature Smart Optik technology, which improves visibility by 19% making it a lot easier to make good contact with the ball. Furthermore, these balls are ITF and USTA approved meaning you’ll find them in many tournaments across the globe.

While this regular duty version isn’t as durable as the extra duty version, I did find them a lot more arm-friendly. Plus, they are better suited for use on grass and clay courts.

Specs

4. Wilson Triniti Tennis Balls

Price: $$$

The Wilson Triniti is a new range of tennis balls that features eco-friendly packaging.

Each can is 100% recyclable and Wilson has said they will contribute 5% of profits from these balls to support worldwide sustainability efforts.

The balls feature an Engage Core which helps to improve the durability. Moreover, the Wilson Triniti balls are made using STR felt which provides better playability and feel. However, I still found that these balls didn’t play as well as the Wilson US Open tennis balls.

Specs

5. Penn Championship Extra Duty Tennis Balls

Price: $

The Penn Championship is the No.1 best-selling tennis ball in America and for good reason.

While these balls do come in a regular duty version, I was a huge fan of the extra duty version as I found they were very durable and were perfect for hard court play. However, if you find that you play more on clay or grass, the regular duty version may be better suited.

I found that these tennis balls didn’t provide as good playability as the Wilson US Open or Penn Tour, however, they are a lot more affordable.

The Penn Championship Extra Duty tennis balls would be ideal for training sessions.

Specs

6. Tecnifibre X-One Tennis Balls

Price: $$$

Not only do Tecnifibre make excellent tennis rackets, but they also make great tennis balls.

The Tecnifibre X-One balls feature X D-CORE tech that reduces the deformation of the ball, leading to a more consistent performance. Also, these balls are made out of a woven felt which feels very comfortable on the arm.

When testing out the Tecnifibre X-One tennis balls, I was very impressed by their playability and how fast they were. However, I did find that they lacked durability.

Specs

7. Pro Penn Marathon Extra Duty Tennis Balls

Price: $$

If durability is very important to you, then I’d recommend checking out the Pro Penn Marathon Extra Duty tennis balls.

This tennis ball has been designed to provide the best long-lasting performance of any ball. This has been done through the use of Penn’s Encore technology and LongPlay felt.

Furthermore, the Pro Penn Marathon features Smart Optik which helps to improve the visibility of the ball.

However, as durability is the main focus, I found that these tennis balls felt a lot heavier and weren’t as fast as some others on this list.

Specs

8. Babolat Gold All Court Tennis Balls

Price: $$$

If you’re looking for a tennis ball that provides a good all-around performance, then you should consider the Babolat Gold All Court tennis balls.

For many years, these tennis balls were used at the French Open due to their consistent performance. Furthermore, these balls have been made using premium materials which contribute to the excellent playability and feel.

However, these tennis balls aren’t the most durable, which is why I’d only recommend them for grass and clay courts. When using them on hard courts, I found that they wore out very quickly.

Plus, they are quite pricey.

Specs

Different Types of Tennis Balls

When it comes to choosing the perfect tennis ball, players have a wide range of options to choose from. Each type of tennis ball is specifically designed to suit various playing conditions and player preferences. Let’s explore the different types of tennis balls available:

Pressureless

Pressureless tennis balls are constructed with a solid core.

Unlike pressurized balls, they don’t have a hollow center filled with air. Instead, they utilize high-density rubber or similar materials. The lack of internal pressure ensures that these balls maintain their bounce over a more extended period.

However, you’ll find that pressureless balls don’t bounce anywhere near as well as pressurized balls.

Pressureless tennis balls are an excellent choice for beginners who seek durability and a consistent bounce.

Pressurized

Pressurized tennis balls are the most common type used in professional tournaments and recreational play.

These balls have a hollow core filled with pressurized air, which gives them a lively bounce. The pressurized air is responsible for the ball’s responsiveness and speed on the court.

However, they tend to lose their bounce faster than pressureless balls, making them ideal for competitive play in a single match or for shorter practice sessions.

High altitude

High altitude tennis balls are specially designed for use in locations with higher elevations.

As atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude, standard tennis balls tend to fly faster and become challenging to control.

High altitude balls are designed to have a slightly lower internal pressure, which helps regulate their bounce and flight path in these environments, offering players better control and a more predictable performance.

Regular Duty

Regular duty tennis balls are optimized for use on soft court surfaces, such as grass or clay.

They have a thinner felt covering, allowing them to grip the court better and offer players more spin and control.

These balls are designed to wear down more quickly than extra duty balls, making them ideal for use on softer surfaces.

Extra Duty

Extra duty tennis balls are engineered to withstand hard court surfaces like concrete or asphalt.

They have a more robust felt covering compared to regular duty balls, providing enhanced durability to withstand the rougher surface.

The extra duty balls maintain their performance characteristics for a more extended period, making them the preferred choice for outdoor play on hard courts.

All Court

As the name suggests, all court tennis balls are versatile and suitable for various playing surfaces.

They strike a balance between the felt thickness of regular duty balls and the durability of extra duty balls. All court balls are commonly used in recreational play and tournaments where players might encounter different court types throughout the competition.

What to Consider When Choosing Tennis Balls

Selecting the right tennis balls can significantly impact your playing experience and overall performance on the court. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing tennis balls:

Skill Level

Your skill level as a tennis player plays a crucial role in determining the ideal tennis ball for your needs. Different skill levels require different types of tennis balls to optimize gameplay.

• Beginners: For those new to the sport, pressureless tennis balls can be a great option. They offer durability and a consistent bounce, allowing players to focus on developing their strokes without worrying about the balls losing their performance characteristics quickly.

• Intermediate Players: Intermediate players may prefer pressurized tennis balls. These balls provide a livelier bounce, allowing players to work on their control and precision as they advance in skill.

• Advanced Players: Advanced players and professionals often opt for high-quality pressurized tennis balls. These balls offer exceptional responsiveness and speed, catering to the demands of competitive play and enabling players to showcase their full potential.

Court Surface

The type of court surface you play on is another vital consideration when choosing tennis balls. Different surfaces interact uniquely with the ball, affecting its bounce, speed, and overall performance.

• Hard Court: If you tend to play on hard court surfaces, like concrete or asphalt, consider using extra duty tennis balls. Their durable felt covering helps them withstand the abrasive nature of hard courts, allowing for prolonged use without significant wear.

• Clay Court: When playing on clay courts, I’d recommend regular duty tennis balls. The softer surface grips the ball better, and the thinner felt covering allows for more spin and control, enhancing the overall playing experience.

• Grass Court: Grass courts are typically gentler on tennis balls. While both regular duty and extra duty balls can be used, some players prefer regular duty balls for their superior control and responsiveness on this surface.

Budget

Your budget is another critical factor when selecting tennis balls. Different types of balls come with varying price points based on their features and intended use.

For casual players or practice sessions, affordable pressureless tennis balls are a cost-effective choice. This is because they are a lot more durable meaning you won’t have to buy new tennis balls as regularly.

If you’re a serious player participating in tournaments or competitive matches, investing in higher-quality pressurized tennis balls is essential. While they may have a higher upfront cost, their performance and consistency justify the investment.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions related to tennis balls:

What Balls Do They Use at the Australian Open?

At the Australian Open, they use the Dunlop Australian Open Tennis Balls.

What is the Difference Between Regular and High Altitude Tennis Balls?

High altitude tennis balls are specifically designed for play in areas with lower air pressure, like mountainous regions.

They have a lower internal pressure to make up for the decreased atmospheric pressure, which helps them bounce effectively at higher altitudes.

On the other hand, regular tennis balls, are designed for sea-level conditions, where the air pressure is higher. Using regular balls at higher altitudes can lead to excessive bounce and reduced control.

Why Did They Stop Using White Tennis Balls?

White tennis balls were traditionally used on grass courts, but as the sport expanded to different surfaces and playing conditions, the need for better visibility arose.

Yellow balls, with their increased contrast against various court colors, enabled players and spectators to track the ball more easily during fast-paced rallies.

This change proved essential for television broadcasts and spectator experience.

Final Words

There are many great tennis balls on the market for you to choose from, which is why finding the right ones for you isn’t always easy.

I hope this article has given you some options to consider and has taught you something you didn’t know.

Now get out and try those new tennis balls!