| Ball approval - Introduction |
 | | Ball-testing laboratory |
A key function of the Technical Centre is tennis ball approval – any ball used in tournament play must be approved by the ITF, based on the tests conducted in this laboratory.
A total of 272 brands were submitted for 2006 approval and of those brands, 5.5% failed. In 2005, a total of 240 brands were approved and 7% of those failed.
Failures occur in all tests, but the most common are the rebound and deformation tests. Least common are the size and mass tests. If a brand fails, then approval cannot be granted. The manufacturer must re-apply by sending another sample, which is then tested in the same way.
For an up to date list of 2008 Approved tennis balls click here . The 2008 ITF Approved Balls & Classified Court Surfaces booklet can be downloaded by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.
The regulations for testing of balls to obtain ITF Approval are specified in Appendix I of the Rules of Tennis. Testing is carried out in the following order:
Acclimatisation
Pre-compression (and conditioning)
Mass
Size
Deformation
Rebound
Colour (this test is not a requirement of the Rules of Tennis)
Next
Any tennis ball manufacturer requiring information on the procedures for obtaining ITF ball approval, should contact the ITF Technical Centre via our feedback form.
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