LAWN TENNIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 91, 17 April 1929, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS

A CHANCE IN COLOUR FROM WHITE TO RED. MATTER OF VISIBILITY. A year or two ago, several cases of red tennis balls were landed in Christchurch. These were tried out with varying opinions as to their utility. It was explained that the red bull" was made for play in Switzerland, where the background is often mostly snow. Recently a leading firm of ball makers in England carried out a series of experiments with every colour of ball, yellow, light blue, purple, orange, pink and scarlet, and the result was that it was found that under most circumstances a scarlet ball was easiest to ‘follow. During the last winter season, a great number ol these balls were used in California, where they were exceedpopular. It was contended that where the light was bad, or where the courts discoloured the balls, the red ball was the best for play. It is quite pissibJc that these balls will bo available in New Zealand before long, but whether Wanganui will see them is not known. Pacific Coast, professionals approved of the ball. They said:— (1) On courts likely to produce a

glare, the red ball is best. (2) Whereas a. new white ball could not be beaten for visibility, as the majority of courts quickly cause the whiteness to disappear, a red ball, by keeping its colour, is superior. (3) Tn play in the late afternoon, when the light is dim, a red ball is easiest to follow.