Hi everyone! In Slazenger Heritage we have a strong link with Wimbledon, so we are going to talk about the curiosities of this competition. In the previous post, we told you why players have to wear white. Today, we want to talk about the tennis balls that are used in Wimbledon.
Wimbledon tennis balls: a tradition since 1902
Wimbledon stands out as the oldest and most traditional of the Grand Slam tennis tournaments, boasting a rich tapestry of anecdotes and curiosities.
Since 1902, the official supplier of tennis balls for this prestigious event has been the renowned British firm, Slazenger. Slazenger proudly holds the distinction of being the oldest partner of any Grand Slam tournament.
The colour of tennis balls: from white to yellow
Originally, tennis was often referred to as the “white sport” because players donned white attire, and the tennis balls themselves were white.
However, in 1968, the advent of televised tennis marked a turning point in the sport’s commercial development. Prior to the 1970s, tennis balls came in either white or black, depending on the court surface. However, the black and white ball colors were challenging to follow on color television.
It was demonstrated that the colour yellow was more visible on color television, leading to their approval in 1972. Several other colors were tested, but they presented problems with television visibility and image characteristics.
A strong color contrast was necessary to ensure viewers could clearly distinguish the ball, regardless of the playing surface.
While most tournaments adopted yellow tennis balls, Wimbledon remained an exception. The British championship held onto tradition until 1986 when it finally embraced the use of colour yellow.
Embrace Wimbledon tradition with Slazenger Heritage
If you’re a tennis enthusiast longing to feel like a tennis legend, consider donning the traditional white jumper inspired by our tennis greats.
Explore more about Wimbledon and its historical significance to tennis by checking out this link: Spanish Tennis Players Who Have Won Wimbledon. Discover the remarkable achievements of Spanish players in this prestigious tournament.
