Making Memories With A Giant
Tennis Ball + My Top Picks
Making Memories With A Giant Tennis Ball + My Top Picks
We hope you love this article. Just so you know, TennisCompanion may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page to help keep this site running. Learn more.
They’re fuzzy, they smell good, and they’re bright. If they were just a bit bigger, tennis balls would be the perfect canvas for tennis fans to snag signatures from the pros.
But wait! Giant tennis balls do exist. The fans who trot around with the fluorescent treasures in their arms are as familiar at the US Open as tennis racquets.
Pick one up before you attend your next tournament as a gift for your dog or a fun toy for your kids. Regardless of your use, they’re sure to deliver unforgettable memories.
In this guide, I’m covering some of my favorite uses for huge tennis balls and sharing my picks for some of the highest-quality options that are durable and will last for years to come.
As a preview, here are a few of my favorites:
Click here to see my full list of highly-rated jumbo tennis balls, or keep reading to learn about their best uses and what to expect from the options on my list.
Getting Player Signatures
Many tennis fans are young and dedicated to scoring autographs from their favorite players. They (or their parents) spend $50 bucks on one giant tennis ball, which comes with a Sharpie for signing. Some kids bring the balls they’ve had for years to every tournament they attend.
The experience of getting signatures is a rush, with kids carefully studying the schedule for each tournament. They plot out the times their favorite players will compete, locate the court or stadium on the map, and form their game plan for getting signatures.
“Make sure you’re near the front, and you know where the people are coming out so you can get them right when they’re done,” says one young fan in a 2014 Wall Street Journal video about the allure of jumbo tennis balls at the US Open. Another kid says most players are kind enough to sign the ball.
When you think about it, that’s pretty amazing. Half the players will be riding the waves of their victory, but the other half will be wishing they’d won.
There’s an unspoken contract between players and fans: you offer me the giant ball, and I will sign it. Sometimes, the signatures aren’t very legible, so fans write out the names of the players below the rushed scribbles to remember who signed where.
But no matter how scrawly or hard-to-read, the signatures—and the feeling of standing face-to-face with top players like Serena, Rafa, or Roger—are priceless.
Additional Uses
While autographs are perhaps the main reason for the existence of extra large tennis balls, with 10,000 estimated to have sold at the US Open in 2018, it’s not their only purpose.
If you coach a high school tennis team, giant tennis balls with autographs from everyone on the team is a fantastic gift for coaches or graduating seniors. The same is true if you coach or play at a tennis club or in a league. If someone is moving away or leaving the league, send them off with a fluorescent reminder of the good times they had on the court with you.
Humans aren’t the only ones who love a big tenni ball. Dogs adore them, too. If you have a dog who loves regular-sized tennis balls, imagine this: you come home from work one day, open a box, and reveal an enormous version of your dog’s favorite toy. The excitement! Dogs can chase, chew, and bat it around the house with their paws.
And don’t count out the youngest members of the family. Because they’re relatively light, they’re the perfect toy for playing with your toddler. You can even pull out some old racquets and get your kids started on a jumbo-sized version of your favorite sport.
Before you buy a huge ball, know that it’s not a replica of a regulation-size ball. A regular-sized tennis ball is made from a thick rubber core that’s wrapped in bright felt and then pressurized for the optimal bounce.
And while regular tennis balls measure 2.57-2.70 in, the bigger variety range from 8-11 inches in diameter.
Their size difference is the main reason the ball construction differs. Imagine the amount of rubber it would take to make a giant tennis ball! Instead, they’re made from an inflatable plastic membrane — like a soccer ball — which is then wrapped in bright felt covering.
How To Save
The jumbo tennis balls Wilson sells at the US Open are famously expensive. And while there’s undoubtedly something special about buying a huge tennis ball there or at any other major tournament, you don’t have to wait until the day you attend to purchase yours for autographs. There are several places you can buy them beforehand — typically for half the price — which I’ll explore in a moment.
Plus, you probably don’t want to buy an expensive one for your dog. Don’t kid yourself that your dogs won’t get destroyed, as they can easily tear through tennis balls made with a thick rubber inner layer. It’s way easier to pop or shred a giant one made with a plastic membrane!
Don’t let that stop you from finding a massive ball for your dog, though. I’ll share exactly where to get the perfect one for autographs, for good old-fashioned play, or for your pets to play with (and destroy).
My Top Picks
Here’s a list of my favorite balls for getting autographs and playing with your dog or child.
For Autographs
Yes, fifty dollars is a lot to pay for a ball. Even an awesome, giant tennis ball. But if you’re going to collect autographs from your favorite players, you want the ball to last through years of signing and then enjoy a long life on your bookcase.
Here are our favorites for autographs. The best part? They all cost dramatically less than what you’ll pay at the US Open or any other major tournament.
Wilson US Open Jumbo
This giant ball is the same version as those sold at the US Open, but it’s half the price (and you’ll have to pick up a Sharpie of your own).
It comes in two sizes: 5 inches and 9 inches. Both come pre-inflated, saving you the hassle of finding a ball pump. You can get this ball in yellow or pink, and each features the Wilson and US Open logos.
Penn Giant
At 9 ⅜ inches, it’s a big ball. It comes in yellow or pink, depending on where you buy it. Like the Wilson Jumbo, it’s half the price of those you can buy at the US Open. Unlike the Wilson Jumbo, it comes deflated.
Purchase it in yellow on Amazon or in pink from TennisWarehouse.
Dunlop Giant
This one also comes deflated. When inflated, it’s 9.5 inches in size. Like the first two, it’s perfect for autographs and is made with authentic tennis felt. You can buy this ball on Tennis Warehouse.
For Dogs
The best way to make sure you keep your precious autograph ball out of your dog’s jaws is to buy a second designed especially for canine enjoyment.
Banfeng Giant
It’s well-known among dog lovers that typical tennis felt can wear down a dog’s teeth over years of chewing. A tennis ball is to dogs what a slab of steel wool is to pots and pans. That’s why when you’re looking for an extra large ball for your dog, you need to make sure it’s made from a material that’s safe for their dental health like this one!
Made from non-abrasive felt, the ball looks just like a tennis ball but is easy on canine teeth. Many chew bones cost a similar amount to this ball, so even if your dog does eventually destroy the ball, you can think of it as a giant yellow chew treat, and you won’t feel so bad. This ball is 9.5 inches and comes deflated.
CNMGBB Giant
In addition to featuring the same non-abrasive felt as the first ball, this one promises to be more durable. It comes deflated and is 9.5 inches.
For Kids
These balls feature something kids love: color!
Rhode Island Novelty Giant
With this tennis ball, you don’t know what color you’re going to get because you can’t choose when you order.
It could be blue, green, red, or yellow. This ball is a super wallet-friendly option. It’s 8 inches in size, comes deflated, and is ideal for kids three and up.
Fun Express Giant
For the price of one jumbo tennis ball purchased at the US Open, you can buy in bulk and get 12 for your kids to enjoy! Perfect for a tennis-themed birthday party, these come in assorted colors including blue, purple, yellow, orange, green, and red.
They’re 8 inches in size and come deflated, so remember to order a ball pump kit.
Don’t Forget The Pump
For the majority of these balls, you’ll need a ball pump to inflate them. While these can sometimes be hard to track down in stores, they’re inexpensive online. This Franklin Sports Ball Maintenance Kit features a ball pump. Buy it on Amazon.
Have a jumbo-fun time with your larger than life tennis ball, no matter why you decide to buy one.
Home > Accessories > Giant Tennis Balls
5-Point Friday
A brief recap of the five most interesting things I’m enjoying or thinking about in tennis.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!