Why Tennis Balls Are Green?

Are tennis balls yellow or green?

While you debate that in the comments, the real story is that the answer completely changed the sport.

Before 1972, tennis balls were simply white or black.

But when color TV broadcasts began, especially for tournaments like Wimbledon, viewers couldn't track the white ball.

It just disappeared against the lines.

The International Tennis Federation knew they had to act.

They commissioned research which found that a fluorescent, vibrant color was the easiest for the human eye to see on a screen.

That color was officially named 'optic yellow,' which sits right between yellow and green on the color spectrum, hence the debate.

They made the change official in 1972.

Ironically, Wimbledon, the tournament that exposed the problem, was one of the last to switch, holding out with white balls until 1986.

So, what color do you see?

Are tennis balls yellow or green? The answer sparked a debate — and changed sports history. This video reveals how color TV forced the International Tennis Federation to rethink visibility, leading to the creation of "optic yellow" in 1972. Learn why this vibrant hue sits between yellow and green, how it improved broadcasts, and why Wimbledon resisted the switch for over a decade. Perfect for sports fans, tennis enthusiasts, and science lovers curious about how a small color tweak revolutionized global sports visibility and viewer experience.