What and why do they check so much?
@abhi_bangal (7679)
Ahmednagar, India
July 10, 2025 9:53am CST
These days I'm watching the Wimbledon matches. We have had a few discussions here already. One thing that I strongly feel like talking about is the players checking out the balls. Be it a male player or a female player, they collect at least 3 to 4 balls from both ball boys standing behind them.
Then they just stare at them as they juggle the balls with one hand and tap it back.
Sometimes they ask for a ball from one ball boy and immediately tap it to the other ball boy. I mean you all know what I am talking about. I don't need to describe their each and every move.
Now what I am curious about and what I don't understand is why all this pretense? If this isn't any pretense, then how can these actions be logically and acceptably supported?
10 people like this
10 responses
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
11 Jul
@abhi_bangal No, no, not on their opponents. With themselves.
2 people like this
@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
11 Jul
@AmbiePam Ohhhh ok ok.
But I said opponents because the overall gist all the comments and replies here is that someone is checking out the balls because he wants to get the best ball to gain an upper hand over his opponent. So, I was saying, if one player is checking out the ball so much then his opponent would think that he has chosen the best ball and he is now going to get an advantage over me. Though what you said also fits in correctly.
2 people like this
@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
11 Jul
If the same actions are performed again and again and especially by both players, I really doubt how much psychological impact it would have on their opponents. Because even the other player knows what his competitor is doing. And he is mentally prepared to accept the challenge.
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@Vikingswest1 (7443)
• United States
10 Jul
Every athlete is looking for an advantage.
Some tennis balls feel different than others. The player is just seeking to find the favored ball or it's also possible that the time it takes or the message it sends to the opponent IS the advantage.
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@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
10 Jul
When it comes to balls, be it football, cricket, tennis, rugby... The balls used have already passed the test. Or you can say only those balls are used that are specificically designed and developed to play those particular sports. Had it been iron ball it's understandable that the shape would change.
Even cricket balls can change shape. That's why the umpires carry a ring to check if the ball passes through it or not. If the ball can pass only then it is deemed ok to use it further. But tennis balls are rubber balls (as far as I know) and it's very likely that they will go out of shape. Also new balls are used for every match and they can easily last until the match is over.
What sort of advantage, by the way?
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@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
11 Jul
@Vikingswest1 If it were some action or some planning that only a particular player does we can understand that there is definitely some reason behind checking the ball. But if hundred players out of hundred are doing the same thing, how much effect would it have mentally on the competitor?
Compare it to a scene where there is a doubles match and one player whispers something Hindi other players year. At least this is acceptable that they have planned a shot or something specific. But just checking the balls randomly...
2 people like this
@Vikingswest1 (7443)
• United States
10 Jul
@abhi_bangal
An advantage could be a little more confidence in themselves or a question of doubt in an opponent. A slight break to catch one's breath, or mentally prepare or to show the opponent that you've selected the perfect ball for the upcoming shot. An advantage can be physical or it can be psychological.
There are tiny nuances in many sports.
A baseball pitcher may ask to change baseballs simply because they don't like the feel of it. Same thing in tennis. A ball wears every time it's used. The more use, the more give in the ball. The more give in the ball means slower speeds of serves and returns.
2 people like this
@Orson_Kart (8250)
• United Kingdom
12 Jul
I’ve been watching Wimbledon this last fortnight, as I always do. The men in particular are very choosy in the balls they want to serve with, the women less so. The balls are replaced after 7 and then every 9 games, and the newer they are, the faster they travel. Many players also change their rackets when it is time for new balls. Whatever the tactics and reasons behind doing what they do, we are now down to the last two in both mens and ladies singles.
The mens title is between the No.1 and No.2 seeds - Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz
The ladies between No.8 seed Iga Swiatek and No.13 seed Amanda Anisimova
The ladies final is today and it will be a new champion as neither have won the title before. Who will it be? My money is on Iga Swaitek, who is 5-0 in Grand Slam finals and pretty darn ruthless. As it’s Anisimova’s 1st Grand Slam final, I think she’ll be nervous and lose. That’s my opinion.
The men’s? I’m not sure of the outcome. Like Swaitek, Alcaraz is 5-0 in Grand Slam finals, but Sinner is a winner too. Hard to see who will come out on top. It could be a classic like the French Open final.
2 people like this
@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
12 Jul
This is one such discussion that has opened before me some interesting takes on why tennis players keep staring at the balls before serving, selecting one and giving the other balls back to the ball boys, what logic they have at the back of their minds, etc.
And as @Vikingswest1 said, "I learned more about tennis balls today than I ever cared to know, lol." Even I too got to know a few new things. So I am very thankful to everyone who has shared their thoughts regarding this topic.
I am very impressed with your predictions. Now let's see how the results go. I have even grown curious to follow your predictions as well as the actual results.
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (7443)
• United States
11 Jul
Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
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@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
11 Jul
Ok. Thanks for the video. One logical sentence here was - to look out for the newest ball. Now that's something acceptable and reasonable 
@Vikingswest1 (7443)
• United States
11 Jul
Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
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@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
11 Jul
@Vikingswest1 This is a bit longer video. Watched only half. Will revert soon.
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@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
10 Jul
Actually they check for the overall condition, air pressure and amount of fuzz. They want the ball that would give them the best serve. I was a huge Tennis fan during my student. That was the Era of Agassi, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Pete Sampras. It's been ages since I watched a Tennis match.
1 person likes this
@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
11 Jul
Steffi Graf and Monica Seles... Oh what days were they... Nostalgic! If I'm not wrong, Monica Seles was stabbed by a Steffi Graf fan. And I happened to watch the match live. I think it was April 1993. I do not remember who her opponent was, or what the venue was. But I very distinctly remember this incident.
Did these legends also check the ball in the same way, the current players are doing?
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
11 Jul
@abhi_bangal Yes, I remember the match. I was watching it too. And when Monica came back, her height increased by 2 inches. I remember that news, it was intriguing. I don't remember the details. Some gland, thyroid or pituitary got the knife and oversecreted causing a height increase . And experts felt that it added to her advantage.
Yes, even they checked the ball before serve.
1 person likes this
@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
12 Jul
@arunima25 Ohhhh, her height increased? I never knew this said happened to Monica Seles. I am actually hearing this after 32 loooooooong years. I also hadn't heard about the reason in any other context as well.
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@ogbenishyna44 (1731)
•
13 Jul
Maybe its another kind of strategy, I am not sure.
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@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
13 Jul
My friend, if you read the entire discussion from start to finish and watch the videos - there are two videos - you will get quite a few answers. And if you have any doubts they will also be cleared.
@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
11 Jul
Hahaha... That's quite straightforward - just for show. Probably they are trying to be the centre of attention of the entire court.
1 person likes this
@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
10 Jul
They start checking out the balls from the very first point. And I don't think the quality will affect so soon - just after the match has started or the ball has taken some shots.
But anyway thanks for your answer.
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
11 Jul
I'm sure they are checking for inflation, bounce, etc. Far above my head for sure.
1 person likes this
@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
12 Jul
If you watch the videos posted by@Vikingswest1, you will understand things and it won't go above your head. Even I was under wrong impression for so many days. But the replies that various friends gave here threw sufficient light on the matter.
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@Ineeddentures (33875)
•
11 Jul
Lol
I have no idea
Balls all look the same to me
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@abhi_bangal (7679)
• Ahmednagar, India
11 Jul
This is more of a practical reply. And I was sure someone would definitely come up with it. Granted, we are watching this on a Television set so we might not instantly understand the difference. But still every ball is checked from the word go even when the ball hasn't taken any beating at all... Hahaha!
