Wimbledon Tennis Balls Face Price Hikes, Delays and Scarcity

The supply chain for English tennis balls is active all around the clock.

The tennis event in England receives significant focus on the racquets, breakfasts, and, naturally, the players. However, the unassuming ball that is struck across the court deserves greater acknowledgment. The process of placing it into the possession of Novak Djokovic involves a worldwide endeavor that goes beyond simply acquiring materials. It necessitates avoiding unethical practices such as child labor and confronting the ongoing challenges posed by climate change.

"The annual Wimbledon event consumes 55,000 tennis balls and captures interest in the sport each year. Similar to various recreational pursuits, the tennis product market has faced disruptions in its supply chain over the past three years," stated Chris Rogers, an analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence, in his recent analysis of the tennis ball supply chain. "Although operational conditions have largely normalized in most supply chains, the tennis industry still faces enduring hurdles regarding sourcing and sustainability."

Rogers reported that this year, the process of bringing tennis balls into the UK is experiencing delays and increased costs. The price of balls and racquets has surged by 42% in 2023 on the British island, mainly due to inflation, as stated by S&P. The delivery system for balls is also slower than before the pandemic, as per S&P data, which reveals that the imports of balls in the UK have fallen behind previous years dating back to 2017.

The issue primarily stems from the construction of the ball itself. The governing body for tennis, the International Tennis Federation, mandates that tennis balls utilized at Wimbledon and other tournaments should consist of a combination of 72% natural rubber and 28% synthetic rubber. Synthetic rubber, derived from oil, is readily accessible but not environmentally sustainable. On the other hand, natural rubber chiefly originates from Asia, particularly with Thailand holding the top spot in global rubber production, accounting for 36% of the worldwide export market as reported by S&P. Additional notable producers include Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Ivory Coast.

There are certain benefits to utilizing natural rubber, as it is derived from trees that can be replenished when proper management techniques are employed. However, even the natural rubber industry faces objections from various quarters. The American government has raised concerns about the involvement of child labor in the production of rubber in countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Ivory Coast. Additionally, the Zoological Society of London highlights the issue of deforestation caused by extensively cutting down rubber trees, which in turn displaces other vegetation to make room for the vast cultivation of rubber trees.

And here's another issue: whenever Carlos Alcaraz or Iga Swiatek throw away a tennis ball because they think it's not good enough, it's highly unlikely that it will be reused. Due to the diverse rubber materials used in tennis balls, they are hardly ever recycled. Around the world, there are 300 million tennis balls produced, and in the U.S. alone, 125 million of them find their way into landfills.

One possible answer: Companies in the United States and France are converting tennis balls into rubber flooring by shredding them.