Can Tennis Balls Be Carriers for Coronavirus?

The body of research regarding the transmission of the coronavirus through tennis balls is limited and likely to remain so. However, based on current guidelines for preventing the spread of the virus, we can draw parallels to understand the potential risks involved in handling tennis balls.

Transmission Risks and Guidelines

A tennis ball, like any other surface, can become contaminated if an infected person comes into contact with it. If you touch a contaminated ball, the virus may be transferred to your hands. From there, touching your face, particularly the eyes, nose, or mouth, can lead to infection. Given the nature of the fabric cover, the physical action involved, and the varying environmental factors (such as temperature and distance), the risk of transmission through a tennis ball is certainly present, though not as high as with some other surfaces.

It is important to emphasize the critical role of hand hygiene and avoiding the face. According to current best practices, it is devilishly difficult to avoid touching one's face, a habit most people are not aware of. This is no different in tennis, where players frequently touch their face, not only during play but also for practical reasons such as wiping sweat from their brows or adjusting their clothing. In this context, while tennis may not be the most likely way to contract or spread the virus, it is better to adhere to strict guidelines to minimize any potential risk.

About the Suspension of Tennis

However, despite the precautions and guidelines, the current situation has led to the suspension of tennis activities. Previously, the idea was that each player would have their own set of tennis balls, minimizing the risk of contamination. When serving, a player would only touch their own balls. For returns, a ball could be easily trapped between a racquet and a shoe, tossed into the air, and hit back.

Potential Risks and Sanitization

While there is no specific research data on the transmission of the coronavirus through tennis balls, the texture of the ball makes thorough sanitization challenging. Unlike surfaces such as billiard balls that can be easily wiped down, a tennis ball's fabric cover makes it difficult to remove any potential contamination. Therefore, even if a ball is relatively clean, the next touch, especially after wiping sweat, significantly increases the risk of transmission.

Given these considerations, it is essential to adhere to strict guidelines wherever multiple people are in close proximity or handling shared surfaces. While tennis does not fit the strict definition of a quarantine, players should take necessary precautions to minimize the risk of virus transmission, no matter how small it may seem at the time.