The Rules Of Tennis

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The Singles Game

3. The Tennis Ball
The tennis ball shall have a uniform outer surface consisting of a fabric cover and shall be white or yellow in color. If there are any seams they shall be stitchless.

The tennis ball shall conform to the requirements specified in Appendix I (Regulations for making tests specified in Rule 3.) Section iv for size and be more than two ounces (56.7 grams) and less than two and one-sixteenth ounces (58.5 grams) in weight.

The tennis ball shall have a bound of more than 53 inches (134.62cm.) and less than 58 inches (147.32cm.) when dropped 100 inches (254.00cm.) upon a concrete base.

The tennis ball shall have a forward deformation of more than .220 of an inch (.559cm.) and less than .290 of an inch (.737cm.) and a return deformation of more than .315 of an inch (.800cm.) and less than .425 of an inch (1.080cm.) at 18 lb. (8.165kg.) load. The two deformation figures shall be the averages of three individual readings along three axes of the tennis ball and no two individual readings shall differ by more than .030 of an inch (.076cm.) in each case.

For play above 4,000 feet (1219m.) in altitude above sea level, two additional types of tennis ball may be used. The first type is identical to those described above except that the bound shall be more than 48 inches (121.92cm.) and less than 53 inches (134.62cm.) and the tennis ball shall have an internal pressure that is greater than the external pressure. This type of tennis tennis ball is commonly known as a pressurized tennis ball. The second type is identical to those described above except that they shall have a bound of more than 53 inches (134.62cm.) and less than 58 inches (147.32cm.) and shall have an internal pressure that is approximately equal to the external pressure and have been acclimatized for 60 days or more at the altitude of the specific tournament. This type of tennis ball is commonly known as a zero-pressure or non-pressurized tennis ball.

All tests for bound, size and deformation shall be made in accordance with the regulations in

Appendix I.
The International Tennis Federation shall rule on the question of whether any tennis ball or prototype complies with the above specifications or is otherwise approved, for play. Such ruling may be taken on its own initiative, or upon application by any party with a bona fide interest therein, including any tennis player, equipment manufacturer or National Association or members thereof. Such rulings and applications shall be made in accordance with the applicable Review and Hearing Procedures of the International Tennis Federation (see Appendix II).

ITF Note: Any tennis ball to be used in a tournament which is played under the Rules of Tennis must be named on the official ITF list of approved tennis balls issued by the International Tennis Federation.