Those used initially were black or white, depending on the background color of the courts, according to the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The ITF then changed the color of the balls in 1972.

With the advent of color TV and growing interest in tennis in the late 1960s, producers looked for ways to improve the viewing experience. David Attenborough was part of that advancement.

The International Tennis Federation introduced yellow balls into the rules of the sport in 1972 “as research had shown these balls to be more visible to television viewers.” Ironically ...