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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.
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