New Balls Please!
Everything you ever wanted to know about mid-match tennis ball swaps.
How To Test Your Balls
My engineer brain took one look at the ITF ball specification table and all the “WTF” synapses simultaneously fired off. Fortunately, the ITF provides a very detailed description of the testing process.
The Great Babolat Ball Controversy of 2011
No discussion of the ITF rules and standards for the tennis ball can be complete without discussing the hubbub surrounding the controversial introduction of a new ball at the French Open in 2011.
Bouncing Down a Tennis Ball Manufacturing Rabbit Trail
If you give an engineer some data in tabular form, she will probably put it into a spreadsheet and plunge into statistical analysis.
Friend at Court 2020, It’s About Time
The 2020 Friend at Court is out and contains a surprising new rule.
Extra! Extra! What are all those additional lines on my court?
Have you ever played on a court with so many lines that resembled a Scottish Tartan plaid and wondered if it was even legal for play?
Let those Singles Sticks Go
I am developing a love of the USTA comments because it is my belief that every one of these originated with something that happened inRead More
Five, Six, Pick up (the Singles) Sticks
Returning my attention briefly back to the singles sticks, I am becoming obsessed with the idea that singles sticks should be something that should beRead More
I just can’t handle the tension!
Tension is an inevitable topic in tennis. In this context we naturally turn our attention to the tension of the net as suspended between theRead More
But Seriously, the Racquet
“The racquets must not provide any kind of communication, instruction, or advice to the player during the match.” John McEnroe, “But Seriously, the Rules of Tennis”, Calm App.
If that’s true, then I am a cheater…