Why is a tennis ball fuzzy?
Basketballs, footballs, rugby balls, ping pong balls and golf balls are all smooth and round. Balls of all sizes, big or small, all have a hard, round surface, with no fur or hair or things like that. Except for the tennis ball. Bright green covered with neon furs, it is undoubtedly furry and fuzzy.
Why? Firstly, it's about tradition. The first tennis ball, in the 16th century, was basically a cork covered with cloth, so therefore it became fuzzy over time. Ball manufacturers did not want to change that, so they continued putting fuzz on the ball. Secondly, the fuzz decreases speed because of the higher surface area. A bus has more surface area than a Formula 1, so it naturally travels slower than the race car (among other reasons). Same theory applies here. As to the reason behind the need for a slower ball, all tennis player obviously needs time to react. A slower ball gives them enough time to act, which a fast ball on the other hand may smack them in the face. Lastly, the fuzz improves control. The fuzz makes the ball roll instead of slide, so the grip of the ball on the racquet would be better than a simple smooth ball.The fuzz also gives the ball a spin, improving control too. Without the fuzz, the ball will simple fly away or bounce too high when hit by the racket.
