How Tennis Ball Changes Work During Matches

Tennis balls lose pressure and bounce during intense play, so officials replace them at set intervals to keep conditions fair. In ATP and WTA tournaments, balls are changed after every nine games. The first change comes after seven games because the opening balls are also used during the pre-match warm-up. In ITF events, including the Billie Jean King Cup, balls are usually changed after 11 games, with the first change after nine games. If a change is due at the start of a tiebreak, it is delayed until the second game of the following set. After a long rain delay, players may warm up with a separate set of balls. The match balls are brought back into use once play resumes.

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