Why do tennis players take 3 balls but only use 2?

Question

I have just been watching tennis, I've noticed that the players take 3 balls from the ballboy and bounce back one of the balls, murry does this alot.

anyone know why?

Answer 1

Looking for the FUZZ man.

Answer 2

usually they choose 2 out of three balls.

Answer 3

They like to look and see which is the best - and which one does not like it has lost its bounce yet :)

They keep them in the freezer until they are used :)

Answer 4

they look at all 3 and take the balls with the most "fuzz" and look in the best shape... not worn out.

they look for the best 2 of the 3

Answer 5

they look for the bounce, the balls start off new but because they get hit so hard they lose there bounce so they want the best 2 out of the 3

Answer 6

The pros examine three and they choose the two that bounce the best! I actually do that 2! =]=]

Answer 7

they just love balls

Answer 8

they wanna see which has the most air and best bounce. they take the three balls, squeeze them, test them to see which is firmest, and give the ball they don't want back.

Answer 9

They usually find the ball with the least fuzz and the one with the most. The one with the the least will be for their 1st serve when they are mostly going for an ace. The one will the most fuzz is usually for their 2nd serve because it will catch on to the strings more to help with spin.

Answer 10

Professional tennis players (and maybe some really rich people) do that because of the "fuzz" on the ball.  As you use the same balls over and over again, ESPECIALLY if you use a lot of top spin or slices or kick serves, etc., the "fuzz" on the ball starts to wear off.  The air pressure inside the ball also decreases as well, another factor that's important to a professional.  The air pressure determines how much a ball "bounces", as well as affecting "impact".  The "fuzz" on the balls determine the "grip" of the ball, and may or may not affect the "bounce" as well depending on the playing surface.

Wimbledon, going on right now, uses grass courts.  That means that the balls are "fast" and "low".  In the world of professional tennis, even a single inch's difference caused from a difference in ball quality can change it from an ace to a fault, in or out.

Therefore, pros general take three and pick the best two, they also "squeeze" the balls to check whether or not they're flat.