# Law 3: The Ball (ITF Rules of Tennis)

Tennis · Law 3: The Ball · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/tennis/laws/law-3-the-ball/)

The ball: who approves it, how many balls are used and when they are changed, what happens when a ball breaks, the ball types and their specifications, and how court pace decides which ball to use.

## 3.31 The Ball

Approved balls, the number in play and ball changes, broken and soft balls, the ball types and their specifications, court pace and the balls for 10-and-under tennis.

### Test 1: Approved balls and the number in play

- The ITF decides whether a ball or prototype complies, on its own initiative or on application. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- Players, equipment makers and national associations are all examples of parties with a genuine interest. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- Every tournament ball must be named on the ITF's official list of approved balls. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- The organisers announce in advance whether 2, 3, 4 or 6 balls are in play. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- The number of balls and any ball change policy are announced in advance. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- Every standard ball type is specified as white or yellow. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- Only the red foam ball for young players has no fabric cover. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- These four are the only numbers of balls the Rules allow. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- Only a ball that has been approved and listed can be used in a tournament. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- Events may play with 2, 3, 4 or 6 balls; five is not one of them. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)

### Test 2: Ball changes and broken balls

- The first change comes two games early to allow for the balls used in the warm-up. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- The balls have already been hit during the warm-up before the first game. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- The whole tiebreak counts as a single game for the ball change. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- New balls are never brought in at the start of a tiebreak; the change is delayed. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- Ball changes are made either after an agreed odd number of games or at the start of a set. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- A broken ball means the point is played again. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- Only a broken ball leads to a replay; a soft one does not. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- The first change is two games early, after game 7, then every nine games. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- Play halts and a fresh ball comes in before the replay. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)
- Game 9 would be the regular interval; the warm-up moves the first change to game 7. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3)

### Test 3: Ball types and their specifications

- Type 1 is fast, Type 2 medium and Type 3 slow; a fourth type is for high altitude. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- All four standard types share the same mass range. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- Types 1 and 2, and the high-altitude ball, are 6.54-6.86 cm; Type 3 is larger. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- The bigger ball slows down more in the air. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- The high-altitude ball and the altitude options apply above 1,219 m. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- Thin air makes balls fly faster, so the high-altitude ball is made to bounce lower. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- Lab equipment wears the ball as nine games would, and its properties may only change by set amounts. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- Type 1 rebounds 138-151 cm, the high-altitude ball 122-135 cm and the red foam ball 85-105 cm. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- 6.54-6.86 cm, 7.00-7.30 cm and 8.00-9.00 cm across. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- Only the Type 3 ball is specified at a larger size, 7.00-7.30 cm. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)

### Test 4: Court pace and choosing the ball

- A rating of 0 to 29 puts a court in Category 1. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- 40-44 is medium-fast; 45 and above is fast. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- Clay and other loose mineral surfaces are the usual slow courts. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- A fast ball balances a slow court, and a slow ball a fast court. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I, Case 1)
- Type 3 is meant for Category 5, fast courts such as grass. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I, Case 1)
- It may be used at all levels except the listed events, such as ranking tournaments, Davis Cup and the Olympics. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- National associations choose which of their own competitions use it. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- Ratings 30-34, 35-39, 40-44 and 45 or more. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- Typically Category 1, Category 3 and Category 5. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I)
- 24 is in the slow band, where the fast Type 1 ball is intended. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix I, Case 1)

Sources: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 3 with Appendix I (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

Take the tests: https://insporta.app/try?utm_source=book&utm_medium=referral