How to Keep Tennis Balls From Going Flat
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By following these simple tips, you can keep your tennis balls from going flat and improve your game.
Check the expiration date
Check the expiration date
All tennis balls have a printed expiration date on the can or packaging. Once that date hits, the ball is past its prime and will slowly start to go flat. If you have an unopened can of balls that are close to their expiration, it’s best to use them soon or donate them to a local program.
Practice your serve
One of the biggest reasons tennis balls go flat is because of how often they’re used during practice sessions and matches. If you frequently find yourself running out of fresh balls during a practice session, try serving first before you start hitting groundstrokes or volleys. That way, you’ll use up the oldest, flattest balls first and save the fresher ones for when you need them most.
Don’t store your balls in extreme temperatures
Whether it’s freezing cold or blazing hot, exposing your tennis balls to extreme temperatures will cause them to go flat faster. When storing your balls, make sure to keep them in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use them again.
Store them in a cool, dry place
To keep your tennis balls fresh, start by storing them in a cool, dry place. It’s best to keep them away from direct sunlight, as this can cause the balls to break down faster. You can store them in a bag or box in your closet or a drawer.
If you’re going to be using the balls right away, there’s no need to do anything further. However, if you want to extend their life, you can put them in the fridge for an hour or so before using them. This will help keep them from going flat as quickly.
When you’re ready to use the balls again, take them out of storage and give them a bounce. If they feel mushy or seem like they’ve lost their bounce, it’s time to get new ones.
Use a tennis ball press
A tennis ball press is a specialized device that keeps tennis balls from going flat. The press uses a hydraulic system to press the ball, and the pressure is released when the ball is removed from the press. This keeps the ball from losing its shape or becoming damaged.
Check for holes
The first step is to check the ball for any holes or punctures. Even the tiniest of holes can cause the ball to slowly go flat. If you use a razor blade or other sharp object, you can carefully slice open the ball to check for a hole. If there is one, you can patch it up with superglue or another kind of adhesive.
Don’t over-inflate
One of the primary reasons that tennis balls go flat is because they are over-inflated. While it may seem counter-intuitive, inflating your tennis balls to the point where they are rock hard can actually shorten their lifespan. The material thatmake up a tennis ball is designed to be stretched and compressed with each hit, and over-inflating them prevents this from happening. This can cause the material to break down prematurely, leading to a flatter ball.
To avoid this, simply under-inflate your balls slightly. They should be firm to the touch, but not so hard that they feel like they might pop. You may need to experiment a bit to find the perfect level of inflation for your particular balls, but once you do, you’ll likely see a noticeable difference in their longevity.
