You know Sir David Attenborough for his legendary nature documentaries, but did you know he also revolutionized the tennis ball? Before the 1970s, tennis balls were white, blending in with players’ clothing and court lines, making them hard to see on TV.
Check out this quick history from Wimbledon’s Instagram page.
Enter Attenborough. As the controller of BBC Two in the 1960s, he was pushing the boundaries of color TV. He saw a problem: white tennis balls were nearly invisible on screen. So, in 1972, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) conducted research and discovered that bright yellow balls were far more visible.
Defending champion Margaret Court competing against fellow Australian Evonne Goolagong in the Ladies’ Singles Final at Wimbledon, 2nd July 1971. Goolagong won the match 6-4, 6-1. (Photo by Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Backed by Attenborough’s vision for a better viewing experience, the BBC championed the switch. By the mid-1970s, the iconic yellow tennis balls became the standard, transforming how millions watched the sport.
Attenborough’s sharp eye for detail didn’t just enhance nature documentaries; it also made tennis matches more thrilling for fans everywhere. Now, every time you see that bright yellow ball zipping across the court, you can thank Sir David Attenborough for making the game more exciting and accessible.
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