Womens Balls

[CrapAtCryptics]

I was somewhat surprised to learn that they use different balls for women in Tennis - its surprising that the issue hasnt arisen before.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/esp-tennis-murray-fumes-rogue-ball-still-advances-miami-055806795--ten.html

[wolf63]

This is something that I did not know.

I am having problems resisting the temptation to make a joke about women's balls

[aelmpvw]

apparently women's balls are designed to be faster which makes me wonder why murray was complaining considering he was serving

[jim360]

There isn't that much difference, but I suppose it's partly psychological. The balls women use in professional WTA matches are apparently slightly faster through the air and off the court.

[CrapAtCryptics]

It did seem a bit of an overreaction to me from Murray - any issue was the same for both players as the referee said.

[ToraToraTora]

Mens tennis balls were slowed down, some years ago, not sure when but basically mens tennis had became serve and volley so to induce more rallies they made the balls slower so serve and volley is no longer tactically successful. Now it's essentially the same baseline stuff as the women.

[Philoctetes]

aelmpvw - top sportsmen know their equipment to the last detail, and know just how much effort to exert to get the effect they want. The slightest difference can make the difference between "in" and "out". In my sport, archery, shooters fret about point weights being half a grain difference - that's 0.032 grams. Certainty is what makes winners!

[aelmpvw]

//and know just how much effort to exert to get the effect they want//

how come they don't always serve it in then?

[Old_Geezer]

It may have been the same for both but it switches the game from one where skill based on past experience is key to one where the good fortune not to be hitting particularly firmly that day, gains an advantage.

I think a professional player should be able to expect a descent standard from those supplying the balls etc.. Most unprofessional of them.

If there isn't much difference then I'm surprised they risk the issue.

[Old_Geezer]

"how come they don't always serve it in then?"

Because apart from your truly, no one's perfect.

[joeluke]

Serena Williams uses her own balls