White balls? Yellow balls?

white ball yellow ball

That ball was in !

Yellow tennis balls were used for the first time in 1986 because science proved that the human eye could more easily perceive the colour yellow on a green grass court with white markings. In fact the real colour is "optic yellow", which is proven to be most percepti to the human eye.

Chalk talk ! Getting a grip on things - the science of gripping

grip

There are many types of grips that are used by players these days to hold the racket. Traditionally, chalk or pumice powder were used to enhance the gripping area of the racket. These days, however, players may use overgrips, rosin powder, or a modern racket with a special gripping area built into the holding area.

Rod Laver (b. 1938-) Australian flag (Aus)  -The 1st professional Wimbledon winner 1968 and 1969

Won 1968 (bt.Tony Roache 6-3, 6-4,6-2)

Won 1969 (bt. John Newcombe 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4).

The first mens Wimbledon singles championship as a Laver Wimbledonprofessional.

Played the shortest Wimbledon final of all time in 1968- just 1 hour.

The first man to win Wimbledon as a professional in 1968, Rod Laver is still regarded as one of the, if not the, all time greats. Nicknamed "The Red-Headed Rocket from Roehampton", Laver had a big left forearm, tremendous speed and the ability to hit amazing running passing shots down the line with real power, despite the fact that he was a small wiry player, compared to modern standards.

Rod Laver                

It's fitting that he should win the championship the first year it became a professional tournament, 1968, Rod Laver backhand as prior to this only amateurs were allowed to compete, and so it was a landmark year in the history of the Wimbledon championships. Ironically the Aussie beat two fellow countrymen from Australia, Tony Roache, in 1968, and John Newcombe in 1969, in the first two years the Championships were for professionals only.