BIGGER BALLS -- BLESSING OR BALONEY? {2000}

By Vince Chiarelli, PTR, MRT and Owner of String Along With Vince in Largo

This column is not for the faint at heart. Neither is it for those fans who believe that everything the ITF or USTA does or says is gospel.

Let's review the logic behind larger balls. The fact is that the 2-year experiment with larger balls was designed to slow down the pros on fast courts so that there would be longer rallies, which would make tennis more enjoyable to watch.

A funny thing came to mind when I read this. The ATP Tour just did away with the 90-second break after the first game tospeed up the game. Let's now talk about fast courts. Fast courts are grass courts. But grass play makes up such a limited amount of professional play, why expend so much effort? Although larger balls may accomplish the goal of slowing down pros on grass, the ball manufacturers need a bigger market to cover the costs of making these balls for the professional grass court season.

Thus, the bigger balls now hitting the general tennis market are approved by USTA and ITF for use on all surfaces by all players. So now we have equipment designed to slow down pros on fast courts being used by recreational players regardless of court surface. The fact is that most recreational play is, in my opinion, slow enough. I have watched club players spend well over an hour playing one set. Points sometimes last a minute or more. Also, some Florida USTA league teams are using a tie-break instead of a third set because the matches take too long. Another issue for consumers is the oversize balls will cost more than conventional size balls.

Proponents of the larger ball say it will make the game easier. Maybe, but it will also make it tougher on your body. A larger ball will make contact with more racquet strings, which will make the strings feel tighter. The drag as the ball goes through the air will also make these balls feel heavier, even though they aren't. These characteristics will make hitting somewhat harder on your arm; a problem that's been plaguing a significant number of players since much of the new technology came to be. Any increase in players will be short-term, if they try the game and give up because of pain.

There will also be difficulties with accessories. Ball machines, baskets and pickup tubes were not designed for the larger balls. Those who use ball clips may find they are also a problem. Products such as ball savers will no longer work. How about pockets in the ladies' tennis panties? I'm sure if you think about it; you will come up with other examples. Manufacturers of these items will no doubt be scrambling to come out with new products. But much confusion and frustration will ensue on the part of the end user (that's you and me) until the dust settles.

Time will tell if my pessimism is justified, but you, the weekend warriors, really determine the outcome.

By Vincent Chiarelli
Copyright 2000
Previously published in FLORIDA TENNIS - August 2000