What are Pressureless Tennis Balls?
If you want to break away from the standard tennis accessories, the question – what are pressureless tennis balls? – is something to consider. Unlike regular balls that utilize internal air pressure to produce bounce, pressureless tennis balls instead rely on a unique structure and rubber construction. A brand new pressureless ball will almost certainly yield less bounce than a pressurized one, although the amount of bounce will increase over time as the exterior begins to wear. This makes pressureless tennis balls a good option for those looking for a budget-friendly and long-lasting alternative to good quality standard tennis balls.
What are Pressureless Tennis Balls? Explained
Standard tennis balls have a signature textured exterior, along with a pocket of compressed air on the inside. This internal air pocket is what allows regular tennis balls to bounce as freely as they do. Pressureless tennis balls differ on both counts. The exterior of pressureless balls is comparatively smoother, while the interior is solid. Although pressureless tennis balls bounce, they do so because of their rubberized shell structure. Because of their unique design, pressureless tennis balls are fairly long-lasting when compared to regular balls. This is all down to the fact they do not utilize air pressure in order to bounce. However, the way these balls bounce changes slightly over time. As the exterior material begins to fade after extended use, pressureless balls will boast increased bounce.
Playing Tennis with Pressureless Balls
Although pressureless tennis balls can last for a long time, they do suffer from being relatively heavy. Many beginners find pressureless balls a challenge to play with because of their increased weight. Even though pressureless and pressurized balls feel more or less the same when held, you will quickly notice the difference when it comes to playing.
A major hurdle you will have to overcome when playing with pressureless tennis balls is making adjustments to your reaction time. Not only will you need to adjust playing speed, but you will also need to fine-tune how you impact the ball with the racket when playing with pressureless balls.
Key Advantages of Pressureless Tennis Balls
If you re looking for a more cost-effective alternative to conventional tennis balls, pressureless balls are something to think about. They are a good option for those looking for a heavy-duty ball for tennis practice. Provided you are comfortable playing with them, pressureless balls will perform well for longer, with no loss of air pressure to worry about. They are also more hard-wearing in a general sense, negating the need for you to constantly invest in replacement balls. Pressureless balls are also known to retain their bounce for a long time, especially when you compare them to standard balls. Another huge benefit of pressureless tennis balls is that they are easy to store. Unlike standard balls, they do not need to be stored in sealed canisters in order to maintain their air pressure levels. If you want something you can tuck into a tennis holdall or mesh pocket, pressureless balls are a good choice.
Downsides of Pressureless Tennis Balls
Although pressureless tennis balls have plenty of advantages over their standard counterparts, there some drawbacks to consider. For one, they are best reserved for practice and are not a good fit with competitive play. The stiffer feel of these balls can take its toll on your hands when playing. Although you can get acclimatized to the feel of these balls when practicing, it can be difficult to continuously play with them in a conventional setting. The heavier weight of pressureless balls also means they are more likely to strain the wrist and elbow. If you are someone who tends to suffer from tennis elbow, you should probably avoid pressureless balls altogether, or restrict your use of them to short practice rounds.
