For all measurements in Appendix I, SI units shall take precedence.
a. The ball shall have a uniform outer surface consisting of a fabric cover and shall be white or yellow in colour. If there are any seams they shall be stitchless.
b. More than one type of ball is specified. The ball shall conform to the requirements shown in the table below.
| - |
Type 1
(Fast) |
Type 2
(Medium)1 |
Type 3
(Slow)2 |
High Altitude3 |
| Weight (Mass) |
56.0-59.4 grams
(1.975-2.095 ounces) |
56.0-59.4 grams
(1.975-2.095 ounces) |
56.0-59.4 grams
(1.975-2.095 ounces) |
56.0-59.4 grams
(1.975-2.095 ounces) |
| Size |
6.54-6.86 cm
(2.57-2.70 inches) |
6.54-6.86 cm
(2.57-2.70 inches) |
7.00-7.30 cm
(2.76-2.87 inches) |
6.54-6.86 cm
(2.57-2.70 inches) |
| Rebound |
135-147 cm
(53-58 inches) |
135-147 cm
(53-58 inches) |
135-147 cm
(53-58 inches) |
122-135 cm
(48-53 inches) |
| Forward Deformation4 |
0.50-0.60 cm
(0.197-0.236 inches) |
0.56-0.74 cm
(0.220-0.291 inches) |
0.56-0.74 cm
(0.220-0.291 inches) |
0.56-0.74 cm
(0.220-0.291 inches) |
| Return Deformation4 |
0.67-0.91 cm
(0.264-0.358 inches) |
0.80-1.08 cm
(0.315-0.425 inches) |
0.80-1.08 cm
(0.315-0.425 inches) |
0.80-1.08 cm
(0.315-0.425 inches) |
Notes:
1 This ball may be pressurised or pressureless. The pressureless ball shall have an internal pressure that is no greater than 7 kPa (1 psi) and may be used for high altitude play above 1,219 m (4,000 feet) above sea level and shall have been acclimatised for 60 days or more at the altitude of the specific tournament.
2 This ball is also recommended for high altitude play on any court surface type above 1,219 m (4,000 feet) above sea level.
3 This ball is pressurised and is an additional ball specified for high altitude play above 1,219 m (4,000 feet) above sea level only.
4 The deformation shall be the average of a single reading along each of three perpendicular axes. No two individual readings shall differ by more than 0.08 cm (0.031 inches).
c. In addition, the ball shall conform to the requirements for durability as shown in the following table:
| - |
Mass (Weight) |
Rebound |
Forward Deformation |
Return Deformation |
| Maximum Change |
0.4 grams
(0.014 ounces) |
4.0 cm
(1.6 inches) |
0.08 cm
(0.031 inches) |
0.10 cm
(0.039 inches) |
Notes:
1 The largest permissible change in the specified properties resulting from the durability test described in the current edition of ITF Approved Tennis Balls, Classified Surfaces & Recognised Courts. The durability test uses laboratory equipment to simulate the effects of nine games of play.
d. All tests for rebound, mass, size, deformation and durability shall be made in accordance with the Regulations described in the current edition of ITF Approved Tennis Balls, Classified Surfaces & Recognised Courts.
CLASSIFICATION OF COURT PACE
The ITF test method used for determining the pace of a court surface is ITF CS 01/02 (ITF Court Pace Rating) as described in the ITF publication entitled “ITF guide to test methods for tennis court surfaces”.
Court surfaces which have an ITF Court Pace Rating of 0 to 29 shall be classified as being Category 1 (slow pace). Examples of court surface types which conform to this classification will include most clay courts and other types of unbound mineral surface.
Court surfaces which have an ITF Court Pace Rating of 30 to 34 shall be classified as being Category 2 (medium-slow pace), while court surfaces with an ITF Court Pace Rating of 35 to 39 shall be classified as being Category 3 (medium pace). Examples of court surface types which conform to this classification will include most acrylic coated surfaces plus some carpet surfaces.
Court surfaces with an ITF Court Pace Rating of 40 to 44 shall be classified as being Category 4 (medium-fast pace), while court surfaces which have an ITF Court Pace Rating of 45 or more shall be classified as being Category 5 (fast pace). Examples of court surface types which conform to this classification will include most natural grass, artificial grass and some carpet surfaces.
Case 1: Which ball type should be used on which court surface?
Decision: 3 different types of balls are approved for play under the Rules of Tennis, however:
a. Ball Type 1 (fast speed) is intended for play on slow pace court surfaces
b. Ball Type 2 (medium speed) is intended for play on medium-slow, medium and medium-fast pace court surfaces
c. Ball Type 3 (slow speed) is intended for play on fast pace court surfaces
Note:
For a two-year trial (2012- 2013), in addition to the balls defined above, the stage 1 (green) ball defined in Appendix VI may be used for all levels of competitive play except for world ranking professional tennis events, Davis Cup and Fed Cup, Junior Tournaments and Team events sanctioned by the ITF and affiliated regional associations, ITF Senior circuit and team events and ITF Wheelchair Circuit and Team events.
During this trial period each National Association shall have the right to decide which national competitive events should use the stage 1 (green) ball.