What Colour Are Tennis Balls At Wimbledon?

While the all-white dress code for Wimbledon may be one of the most iconic and well-known aspects of the tournament, the colour of the tennis balls is actually quite important too! So, what colour are tennis balls at Wimbledon?

The Colour of Tennis Balls

The colour of tennis balls at Wimbledon is a topic that has been much debated over the years. Some say that the balls are white, while others say they are yellow. The truth is, the balls are actually a pale yellow colour.

Why are Tennis Balls at Wimbledon a Different Colour?

Since around the 1950s, Wimbledon tennis balls have been a different colour to those used at other grand slam competitions. The traditional deep green colour was changed to bright yellow in 1986 in an attempt to make the ball more visible on television.

Whilst this change made a big difference on screens, it had little effect on how visible the ball was to players on the court. In fact, many players found the change more difficult to adjust to than they had hoped. The switch back to traditional deep green Wimbledon tennis balls came in 2001.

The History of the Colour of Tennis Balls

The colour of tennis balls used at Wimbledon has changed several times throughout the tournament’s history. The first balls were white, but this changed to green in 1877. In 1986, Wimbledon switched to using yellow balls, but they reverted back to white balls in 1987. It wasn’t until 1989 that Wimbledon began using the now iconic yellow tennis balls.

The First Wimbledon Tennis Tournament

The first Wimbledon tennis tournament was held in 1877. The Court 1 grandstand was painted a light green color, and the umpire’s chair was a bright red. The balls used in the tournament were also red. In fact, all tennis balls were red up until the early 1900s when they started to be made in white.

The Change in Colour of Tennis Balls

For the sake of this article, we will only be discussing the colour of the tennis balls used at Wimbledon, as this is perhaps the most iconic tennis tournament in the world.

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC), who run Wimbledon, specified that from 1986 onward, the official ball would be a white 100% woolen cloth covered ball. Prior to 1986, yellow balls were used at Wimbledon for a total of 12 years. This change in colour was made in order to make the ball more visible on television.

During those 12 years of using yellow tennis balls, there was a debate among players as to whether yellow or white was actually easier to see. In an article written by Lew Hoad in 1957 for popular magazine Sports Illustrated, Hoad argues that the new yellow ball being used at Wimbledon was actually more difficult to see than the white ball that was previously used.

It wasn’t just Hoad who thought this; many players of that era also disagreed with tennis authorities on this issue. In 1974, Billie Jean King even went so far as to wear yellow glasses during her match at Wimbledon in an attempt to make the yellow ball easier to see. Needless to say, King lost that match.

Despite all of this controversy, Wimbledon stuck with using yellow tennis balls until 1986 when they finally made the switch back to white.

The Significance of the Colour of Tennis Balls

At Wimbledon, the colour of the tennis balls is a deep yellow. This colour was chosen for a reason- to aid visibility of the ball on the green grass court. The use of a deep yellow for tennis balls was first trialled in 1986 and became an official part of Wimbledon in 1987.

The Significance of White Tennis Balls

While the debate continues on whether or not yellow or white tennis balls are better for visibility, there is no denying that Wimbledon tradition dictates that only white tennis balls are used during their grand slam tournament.

There are several reasons for this long-standing rule. For one, it is believed that the colour white is more aesthetically pleasing and traditional than any other colour. White also has excellent contrast against green grass, making the ball easier to see for both players and spectators alike.

In addition, white tennis balls do not absorb light as much as other coloured balls, making them less likely to become overheated during play. This is especially important at Wimbledon, where matches can last for hours in the hot summer sun.

While there may be some practical advantages to using white tennis balls, it is ultimately the tradition and history of Wimbledon that dictates their use. For many, the all-white dress code of players and the pristine green court surface surrounded by pristine white spectator seating creates an atmosphere of elegance and tradition that would be lost were any other coloured ball to be used.

The Significance of Yellow Tennis Balls

While the Wimbledon ball has evolved over the years in terms of design and materials used, its color has remained largely unchanged. The traditional yellow color of the ball is in keeping with the tournament’s “All England Lawn Tennis Club” roots, as well as its pre-Wimbledon history.

In 1877, when the first Wimbledon tournament was held at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, white was the only color allowed for tennis balls. This was in keeping with the dress code at the time, which required all players to wear all-white clothing. The rule remained in place for many years, even after Wimbledon began allowing non-white clothing in 1925. It was not until 1986 that Wimbledon decided to allow different colors for tennis balls.

The yellow color of Wimbledon tennis balls is thought to provide better visibility on the grass court than other colors. This is especially important for television viewers, who need to be able to see the ball clearly when it is in play. The yellow color also provides a contrast against the green of the grass court, making it easier for players to track the ball.