- Question has divided tennis fans for years
AFL stars have disagreed over whether the balls used at the Australian Open are yellow or green – and they’re not the only ones who have been divided by the question.
Dunlop is the official ball partner for the tournament, and Daily Mail can confirm the balls are fluorescent yellow.
The company describes the shade as ‘optic yellow’ – but some Kangaroos stars were adamant they are green, including George Wardlaw.
The midfielder was confident in his colour selection, stating on camera, ‘It is a green tennis ball.’
Defender Colby McKercher opted for fluoro yellow, with midfielder Dylan Stephens also confident they are yellow.
In 2024, the Daily Mail revealed legendary nature presenter David Attenborough was a huge reason why the balls first changed in colour from white to yellow.
A host of footy stars from North Melbourne have disagreed on the colour of the balls used at the Australian Open (pictured, defender Colby McKercher)
Midfielder George Wardlaw was confident that the balls are green
Dunlop is the official ball partner at Melbourne Park, and Daily Mail can confirm they are a shade known as optic yellow
‘I was controller of BBC2 in 1967 (during Wimbledon) and had the job of introducing colour,’ he told Radio Times.
‘We had been asking the government [for yellow balls] over and over again and they wouldn’t allow us, until suddenly they said, “Yes, OK, you can have it”.’
In 1972, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) approved the ‘optic yellow’ ball, and it is now used at tournaments around the world, including Grand Slams such as the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Tennis fans remain divided when it comes to the colour, with a global 2023 poll on X revealing 46.7 per cent of respondents went with yellow.
Green was an equally popular choice, garnering 43.2 per cent of the votes.
In 2018, tennis legend Roger Federer declared tennis balls are yellow when he was asked by a fan.
The debate is showing no signs of ending – and ultimately, both answers are correct.
Neurological experts have confirmed the way a person perceives colour is based on the light reflection on the tennis ball.
How brains ‘translate’ wavelength into colours is also significant.
