Tennis ball types: the ITF ball types and court pace
TenisRaketi Editör Ekibi · Updated October 2026
Short answer
The ITF approves three ball types: Type 1, a fast ball for slow courts; Type 2, a medium ball for most courts; and Type 3, a bigger, slower ball for fast courts. All weigh 56–59.4 g; Type 3 is 7.00–7.30 cm across, the others 6.54–6.86 cm. Juniors have red, orange and green balls.
In this guide
Not all tennis balls are the same. The ITF sorts balls into types by speed and recommends each type for a court pace. This guide covers the ball types, court pace and when balls are changed in a match.
The ball types the ITF approves
| Type 1 (fast) | Type 2 (medium) | Type 3 (slow) | High altitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Intended court | Slow | Medium-slow, medium, medium-fast | Fast | Above 1,219 m |
Weight | 56.0–59.4 g | 56.0–59.4 g | 56.0–59.4 g | 56.0–59.4 g |
Diameter | 6.54–6.86 cm | 6.54–6.86 cm | 7.00–7.30 cm | 6.54–6.86 cm |
Rebound | 138–151 cm | 135–147 cm | 135–147 cm | 122–135 cm |
Balls are white or yellow, with a fabric cover and stitchless seams. Tournaments may only use balls on the ITF list of approved balls.
ITF Rule 3; Appendix I.
Why a bigger ball for fast courts?
There is a bigger ball for fast courts: Type 3. It weighs the same as the others but is about half a centimetre wider. A bigger ball meets more air resistance and slows down more; players get more time to reach it and rallies get longer. The ITF intends Type 3 for fast courts and, the other way round, Type 1 for slow ones.
It is a recommendation, not a requirement: the event decides which ball to use.
ITF Appendix I, Case 1.
Court pace: clay, hard and grass
The ITF sorts courts into five categories by measured pace, giving examples for pairs of categories:
Category | Pace | Example |
|---|---|---|
1 | Slow | Most clay courts |
2 and 3 | Medium-slow and medium | Most acrylic hard courts, some carpet |
4 and 5 | Medium-fast and fast | Most natural and artificial grass, some carpet |
Clay is the slowest category: the ball slows more as it comes off the surface. So the fast Type 1 ball is intended for slow courts and the slow Type 3 for fast courts; each offsets the other.
ITF Appendix I, classification of court pace.
Pressureless and high-altitude balls
A Type 2 ball can be pressurised or pressureless. A pressureless ball has an internal pressure of no more than 7 kPa. Above 1,219 m (4,000 ft) the thin air makes the ball fly faster. At that height events use a special high-altitude ball (it bounces less), a Type 3 ball, or a pressureless Type 2 ball kept at that altitude for at least 60 days.
ITF Appendix I.
When are balls changed in a match?
The event announces in advance how many balls are used (2, 3, 4 or 6) and when they are changed. There are two ways:
- After a set number of games (usually 7 or 9). The first change comes two games earlier, because of the balls used in the warm-up. A tie-break counts as one game; if a change would fall at the start of a tie-break, it moves to the second game of the next set.
- At the start of a set.
If a ball breaks during a point, the point is replayed. If a ball has gone soft but not broken, the point is not replayed.
ITF Rule 3, Case 1; Rule 27 (i).
Junior balls: red, orange, green
Competitions for 10 and under do not use the adult ball; there are three slower, lighter balls:
Ball | Recommended age | Racket length | Court |
|---|---|---|---|
Red (stage 3) | Up to 8 | Up to 23 in (58.4 cm) | Red court |
Orange (stage 2) | 8–10 | 23–25 in (58.4–63.5 cm) | Orange court |
Green (stage 1) | Advanced 9–10 | 25–26 in (63.5–66 cm) | Full court |
The red ball can be foam or felt. The green ball may be used at every level except professional and international ITF events. The right racket length for a child is in the junior racket guide, the court sizes in the court guide.
ITF Appendix I (d); Appendix VIII.
Frequently asked questions
Are all tennis balls the same size?
No. The ITF Type 3 ball, for fast courts, is about half a centimetre bigger than the others (7.00–7.30 cm). They all weigh the same.
Which ball is used on clay?
The ITF intends the Type 1 (fast) ball for slow courts such as clay. Most tournaments and clubs use the Type 2 (medium) ball; the event decides.
How much does a tennis ball weigh?
Adult balls weigh 56.0–59.4 g. Junior balls are lighter; the green ball is 47–51.5 g.
When are balls changed in a match?
As the event announces: after a set number of games (the first change two games early) or at the start of a set.
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