Do unopened tennis balls go bad?

Slowly. Sealed cans usually play fine for around two years, though they lose some pressure over time.

How many times can you play with a can of tennis balls?

Most recreational players get one to three good sessions before the balls feel flat.

Do tennis ball pressurizers work?

They help keep opened balls from losing pressure between sessions, but they will not fully revive a ball that is already dead.

How Long Do Tennis Balls Last?

6 video lessons

When a can goes flat and how to make it last.

Quick answer & tips ▾

A pressurized tennis ball starts losing pressure the moment the can is opened. For most club players a can plays well for one to three sessions, and noticeably flat after a week or two even if unused. Sealed cans hold up far longer, usually around two years.

A dead ball bounces low, feels heavy on the strings and sounds dull. Drop it from head height onto a hard court: a fresh ball comes back up to about waist height. A ball pressurizer can slow the loss between sessions. For practice, ball machines and kids, pressureless balls keep their bounce for months.

Key tips

Open a new can for matches.
Head-height drop test: a good ball bounces to about the waist.
Store opened balls in a pressurizer to stretch them out.
Use pressureless balls for hoppers and ball machines.

FAQ

Do unopened tennis balls go bad?: Slowly. Sealed cans usually play fine for around two years, though they lose some pressure over time.
How many times can you play with a can of tennis balls?: Most recreational players get one to three good sessions before the balls feel flat.
Do tennis ball pressurizers work?: They help keep opened balls from losing pressure between sessions, but they will not fully revive a ball that is already dead.