History of Tennis

The history of tennis can most easily be traced back to all games that evolved from sticks and balls or rocks. Ancient Egyptian Temples often have tracings on the walls that include people using the sticks to hit objects toward one another. It wasn’t until the 12th, 13th and 14th century that they actually began using a wall as a fixed object that they would hit the ball against. Initially the sport began by using there hands as a racket and gloves for support. The balls then began to change from hard pieces of wood to softer leather casings with a number of different items using as stuffing. The French then began to progress the game through the next several hundred years.

The game was much different that what we think of it. First off it was played indoors and included points as well as a chase or location. Points were earned by how the ball was played of each of the walls. The chase included trying to pin your opponent to his back wall. The chase or location was determined by where the ball bounced second which is still adopted today.

The sport became very popular among the elite and although it was primarily played in France it began to travel throughout Europe. The game used to called the game of the palm as they played before having rackets and they began each game by shouting Tenez which in French means play and this is obviously where the word tennis comes from.

The patrons then began to consider a means for taking the sport outdoors. It just seemed to be the easy and obvious thing to play it on grass if you wanted to play outside. So
Harry Gem and Augurio Perera are often credited with being the first to incorporate rackets into the history of tennis. It was then in 1875 that the All England Croquet Club began to offer lawn tennis as an attraction and it took off. They included Tennis in the title of there club and to hold tournaments. The first championship at the London suburb of Wimbledon was in 1877 and had over 20 contestants.

The US was also adopting the game at this time and formed the USTA which began to formalize the sport and adopt rules. The first major tennis competition was held in 1881 in Rhode Island and is considered the start of the US Open. Of the remaining tennis majors the French Open began in 1891 and the Australian Open of 1905 which rounds out the Grand Slams of Tennis.

The growth of the sport spurred a pro tour of players from around the world. The players were paid and spectators would attend the tournaments. But once the players were compensated they lost there amateur status and could no longer play in a number of large tournaments. So in 1968, the “Open” era began which allowed players of any status to compete throughout leagues and tournaments and spurred dramatic growth in the sport over the world.

Today the sport has produced mega superstars that make millions of dollars a year in earnings and endorsements. Tennis can be found anywhere on the planet both indoors and outdoors. Men and women of all ages can enjoy the sport and with a relatively little amount of equipment can play the sport for recreation or competition. So goes the history of tennis…