Because other equipment changed, and the game needed to be watchable.

Also, your statement that "They changed the diameter and weight of the balls for faster courts and then all courts" isn't supported by what you linked. See my above post.

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Posted by sms151t

Polos, Porsches, Ponies..PROBATION

Member since Aug 2009

139885 posts

Posted on 1/26/18 at 1:18 pm to MidnightVibe

This is from the ITF who runs the Slams, Olympics, and Cups LINK

quote:

Justification for the amendment

The Rules of Tennis Committee and the Technical Commission have recommended that Rule 3 – The Ball and Appendix 1 paragraphs iv and vii be amended, and a new Case 1 be inserted, to ratify the introduction of two new types of tennis ball. Following a two-year period of experimentation and detailed study, the Technical Commission has concluded that the objectives of the experiment have been successfully achieved and that the amendment will be of significant benefit in the development of tennis. Specifically the experiment has confirmed the following:

1. The Type 3 oversize ball is slower in pace and therefore allows recreational players more time to formulate their return stroke. This can be shown to lead to longer rallies of up to 25%. It can therefore be concluded that the Type 3 ball on any surface will make the learning of tennis easier and more fun for the majority of players.

2. Although not its primary purpose, the Type 3 oversize ball if used on faster surfaces can also help curb where necessary the dominance of the serve and corresponding lack of rallies in the professional game.

N.B. It should also be noted that the Technical Commission has proposed an amendment to the regulation defining high altitude balls. The current regulation defines two types of high altitude ball which are widely accepted to be not entirely satisfactory for such purposes. The ideal high altitude ball is currently considered to be one which accounts for the lower air density above 4000ft. and the difference in atmospheric pressure between high altitude and sea level. The current Type 3 oversize ball satisfies the former requirement and can therefore be recommended for play above 4000ft. on any type of surface.

It should be stressed that the Rules of Tennis Committee and the Technical Commission believe that the proposed terminology linking ball type with court surface type provides the appropriate guidance whilst being non-mandatory. The Board of Directors recommends acceptance of this proposal.