Sir David Attenborough's BBC innovation that transformed Wimbledon and snooker

Sir David Attenborough may be renowned for his work as a BBC broadcaster, historian, conservationist and author, but he's also made a significant contribution to the sporting world . The broadcasting legend, who celebrates his 100th birthday today (May 8), was instrumental in shaping tennis at Wimbledon and snooker during the 1960s. Attenborough is credited as the person responsible for fluorescent tennis balls at Wimbledon, with the ball far more visible on broadcast television. He also championed snooker being shown on colour television, igniting the nationwide passion that exists today. As highlighted by Alice, who shares content on TikTok as @alicefevronia, she revealed the fascinating fact that many tennis enthusiasts aren't actually aware of. She questioned: "Did you know that we have the legendary David Attenborough to thank for fluorescent tennis balls? JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page "Until the 1970s, tennis balls were black or white, but he suggested that a fluorescent tennis ball would be much more visible to the cameras, especially as colour TVs were becoming more popular. "So the International Tennis Federation conducted extensive research to find a colour visible on both colour and black and white TVs. "They settled on this greenish yellow, known as optic yellow. And around 55,000 of them will be used during the Wimbledon tournament." Yellow balls were introduced by the ITF in 1972, though Wimbledon itself didn't make the switch until 1986. Back in 1969, Attenborough brought together the BBC's most senior executives in a bid to broadcast the next big thing - colour television. He pitched snooker to the BBC's then head of sport Bryan Cowgill - a sport considered to be in decline - and the tournament Pot Black was soon appearing on TV screens across the nation. "I had a few colour cameras in existence, and I was absolutely strapped as to how to employ them," Sir David told the BBC. "I wanted to put stuff on BBC Two that didn't appear on anything else. But then I realised I could do 48 hours of transmissions in three days on that one simple screen. "In terms of production of colour pictures it was an absolute godsend and absolutely invaluable in getting the service on the air. Then there was the sport itself, and the obvious drama with all the characters involved. I watched it all the time when it was on." Cowgill helped create the Saturday show Grandstand in 1958, and played a pivotal role in bringing football highlights programme Match of the Day to the BBC's schedule in 1964, followed by Sportsnight in 1968. However, Pot Black proved to be his defining moment, as the pastime once associated with smoky working men's clubs was broadcast live on television and became an instant hit, ranking amongst the channel's most-watched programmes.