How a tennis ball behaves naturally also depends on the surface you are playing on. For example, different properties are required on clay than on hard courts. Manufacturers have developed their own tennis balls for the different surfaces so that you are optimally equipped for each surface.
Tennis balls for the clay courtIn Germany and Europe, clay is the most widely used surface for tennis courts. Special clay court balls such as the
Babolat Team Clay or the
Dunlop Fort Clay are specially designed for playing on this surface. They are slightly faster than ordinary tennis balls, as clay is slower than other surfaces. In addition, clay court balls are equipped with special technologies that guarantee a longer service life. Clay courts often have a certain amount of moisture, which is why clay court tennis balls have a waterproof coating on the felt to prevent them from absorbing too much of it. This makes them heavier and slower. For good visibility and to keep the yellow color longer, clay court balls often have a color-preserving coating.
Allcourt tennis ballsAs the name suggests, all-court tennis balls are basically suitable for all surfaces. In Europe, however, they are mostly used on hard courts, concrete or carpet, as they are not specifically designed for clay courts. Allcourt balls are often provided with a thicker felt to increase their durability on harder surfaces such as the
Dunlop ATP. As a general rule, the faster the surface, the slower the tennis ball should be.