Wimbledon, one of the world’s most prestigious tennis tournaments, uses about 55,000 tennis balls each year. But what happens to these tennis balls after the tournament? Surprisingly, many are recycled into cosy homes for field mice, offering them safe shelters in the wild.

During the two-week tournament, approximately 1,700 tennis balls per day are provided to the courts for practice and matches. While some of these balls are sold to fans, many used balls are donated to the UK Wildlife Trust, where they find a new purpose.

The process of turning used tennis balls into homes for field mice is simple yet effective. A hole is cut into each tennis ball, hollowing out the interior, which creates an accessible and secure shelter for the mice. These repurposed balls are then placed in the wild, where they offer much-needed protection against harsh weather conditions and predators.

Field mice often struggle to find safe homes in nature due to factors like flooding and farming practices. The structure of tennis balls mimics the natural materials they use, making them an ideal alternative. This innovative recycling method not only benefits the mice but also promotes environmental conservation. Wimbledon’s tennis balls thus serve a new purpose, contributing to both wildlife protection and sustainability

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