Fuzz Ball

Sport fans have long been accustomed to rowdy baseballers grousing about the ball they are compelled to use. As tennis-balls have grown fuzzier (to please hard-court players), some tennists have begun to grouse, too. Last week, during the Seabright Invitation Tournament, first of the four major grass-court tune-ups before the National championships at Forest Hills, all the top-flight U. S. tennists roared their disapproval of the extra-fuzzy tennis ball put in use this year (and well liked by the average player because it lasts longer), loudly demanded that some of its fuzz be removed or they would pack up their rackets.

"It's like smacking a cantaloupe," said U. S. No. 1 Bobby Riggs, noisily objecting to the heaviness of the long-haired ball after it becomes grass-stained and moist. United States Lawn Tennis Association officials, ruefully watching their top-notchers eliminated in the early rounds, pondered using a special ball for future grass-court tournaments, retaining the fuzz ball for play on clay and concrete, where its heavy nap is no hindrance.

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