From strawberries and cream to a refreshing glass of Pimm’s in the sunshine, nothing beats London during Wimbledon. There’s so much fascinating history connected to the tournament, with the Wimbledon Championships dating all the way back to 1877. Beyond the imposing infrastructures and forever-growing fandom, not too much has changed since then; the lush green lawns and iconic white attire set the stage for this competition to become the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world. However, there is one distinctive difference and that is the colour of the tennis balls.
A game-changing colour change
As previously mentioned, Wimbledon began in 1877, but yellow tennis balls weren’t introduced to the competition until 1986. Before this transition, tennis balls were traditionally white, but with the advent of colour televisions taking over, broadcasters faced a new challenge as the white balls were almost impossible for viewers to see on their screen against the green courts.
The reason behind the change might surprise you, as it was none other than the legendary documentary-maker and broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough. He was the controller of BBC2 at the time, and played a crucial role in this visual revelation.
Attenborough’s florescent vision
Although famed for bringing the natural world directly into our living rooms, David Attenborough was also a visionary in the realm of broadcasting. Often overlooked by his riveting documentaries, he has had an incredible career in television that spans beyond biology and Planet Earth. He even launched several landmark programming projects, including Monthy Python’s Flying Circus.
During his time as the head of BBC2, he conjured up a team of people, including himself, for a sought-out solution that would enhance the viewing experience for viewers with a colour television. They conducted a handful of experiments to determine which colour tennis balls would be most visible on-screen.
The results concluded that the iconic bright yellowwhich has become synonymous with the sport since then, was the best option. It was the perfect contrast against the green courts and the blue skies, making them far more visible on TV.
The lasting legacy of yellow tennis balls
The All England Club adopted the yellow ball for Wimbledon in 1956marking a significant shift in the sport and ensuring fans could follow every serve, and volley with greater ease. The change was met with approval from players and spectators alike, solidifying the colour as a new standard in the sport.
So, as we watch the drama unfold on the Wimbledon courts this year, take a moment to appreciate Attenborough’s foresight and dedication to broadcasting on all levels. Thanks to him, tennis balls changed forever, and their yellow colour became a symbol of innovation, visibility, as well as the enduring legacy of this beloved broadcasting legend.
