Sustainability Takes Center Stage: ITF Explores Innovative Tennis Ball Design
Published: February 15, 2023 | Source: BBC Sport
In a proactive move to address sustainability concerns in the sport, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has assembled a working group dedicated to exploring eco-friendly solutions, with tennis balls emerging as a key focus.
Cutting-Edge Facility, Innovative Approach
Housed in Roehampton, just a few miles from Wimbledon’s iconic All England Lawn Tennis Club, the ITF’s state-of-the-art laboratory is home to an array of cutting-edge robots tasked with testing balls and rackets. The facility also boasts a wind tunnel powered by an ancient computer, which is used to analyze the aerodynamics of tennis balls.
The ITF has now revealed a prototype design that features a polymer outer shell with strategic perforations, a departure from the traditional fabric-coated rubber core. Jamie Capel-Davies, head of the ITF’s Science and Technical Department, explained that this innovative approach is aimed at “stimulating innovation in the industry” and being “proactive” in addressing sustainability.
Evaluating the Prototype’s Viability
The team has outlined three key areas to determine the viability of the new design:
- The net environmental impact in terms of carbon emissions
- The ball’s performance characteristics compared to conventional models
- The practical considerations such as feasibility, cost, and economic factors
“We’ve been looking at this for the past few months,” Capel-Davies stated, emphasizing that the process is still in its early stages, and a better solution may yet emerge.
The prototype will be presented to ball manufacturers and other stakeholders in the coming weeks, as the ITF continues to weigh the options and explore ways to make tennis more sustainable.
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