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Why are most tennis-balls yellow?

Why are most tennis-balls yellow?
Tonje, Norway

Dear Tonje
Tennis-balls have not always been yellow, indeed in the days of long trousers
and lawn tennis with a glass of Pimm's in the afternoon the balls were a variety
of colours, ususally ranging from gray to white.

However, with the advent of televised tennis matches the balls needed a colour
that made them visible when travelling in high speed across the courts. Indeed,
as late as 1986 the Wimbledon introduced the optical yellow balls.

By the way, Bunny Austin was the first man to ever wear a pair of shorts on court
at Wimbledon in 1933

Yours Truly
Mr Mountie

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