When Tennis Meets 3D Printing 🎾✨
Noé Chouraqui, a visionary graduate of Central Saint Martins, has served up an eco-friendly ace to the world of tennis. His creation, POINT, is a 3D printed ball that could literally change the game. Made with PLA-HR (a corn-derived material), this ball proves that high performance and sustainability can be a perfect match.
The Environmental Problem No One Saw
While players worry about their backhand, the planet suffers with:
- 300 million balls produced annually
- 400 years to decompose (a very long match!)
- Non-recyclable materials in traditional balls 🌍
"POINT is not just a ball, it's a statement that sports can evolve without harming the planet" - Noé Chouraqui
Design That Meets Standards
To be accepted, POINT retained the key elements:
- The iconic fluorescent yellow-green color
- Regulation weight and size
- Almost identical aerodynamic performance to traditional ones 🚀
The Future of Sustainable Tennis
The ITF is already evaluating POINT, which could mean:
- First official tournaments with eco-friendly balls
- New sustainability standards in sports
- Inspiration for other sports disciplines
Final reflection: Soon we'll see Nadal asking for "corn balls" instead of the traditional ones... though hopefully they don't mistake them for popcorn. 😂