With most of the top players going to their bag for a new racquet upon the introduction of new balls, what happens when a ball is miss-hit into the stands?
Are new balls put in or do the ball handlers go short? A. You are referring to a fan-friendly initiative that was established for the 2005 US Open. On the three stadium courts, when a ball bounces or flies into the crowd, the fan that catches the ball gets to keep it. These balls are replaced at the end of that particular game. Prior to the match, the umpire walks on court with a bag full of balls that have been worn to varying degrees. If a one-game old ball is hit into the crowd it will be replaced with a newer ball than if an eight-game old ball is lost. Q. Just wanted to know what the pros look for in a ball when they pick up three balls and look at them, then choose two before they serve. A. Generally, players try to choose the ball with the least amount of fluff on it. That way, when they serve, it travels through the air faster. However, some baseline retrievers might look for the fluffiest (or heaviest) ball to slow down a powerful opponent. Lastly, sometimes players are just t
