<P> Modern tennis balls must conform to certain criteria for size , weight , deformation , and bounce criteria to be approved for regulation play . The International Tennis Federation ( ITF ) defines the official diameter as 6.54 -- 6.86 cm ( 2.57 -- 2.70 inches ) . Balls must have masses in the range 56.0 -- 59.4 g ( 1.98 -- 2.10 ounces ) . Yellow and white are the only colors approved by the ITF , and most balls produced are a fluorescent yellow known as `` optic yellow '' , first introduced in 1972 following research demonstrating they were more visible on television . </P>
<P> Modern tennis balls must conform to certain criteria for size , weight , deformation , and bounce criteria to be approved for regulation play . The International Tennis Federation ( ITF ) defines the official diameter as 6.54 -- 6.86 cm ( 2.57 -- 2.70 inches ) . Balls must have masses in the range 56.0 -- 59.4 g ( 1.98 -- 2.10 ounces ) . Yellow and white are the only colors approved by the ITF , and most balls produced are a fluorescent yellow known as `` optic yellow '' , first introduced in 1972 following research demonstrating they were more visible on television . </P>
when did tennis balls changed from white to yellow
when did tennis balls changed from white to yellow
1972
1972