Tennis history

Did you know that tennis was played without a racket in its origins? That is only part of its history, since over time it evolved into the sport we know today. In addition, Walter Clopton Wingfield was the one who patented it, but the tournaments held since 1877 increased the fame of this sport. 

origin of tennis

Before talking about its origin you should know what tennis is. It is a game in which each player must hit the ball over a net with a tennis racket. In total there are only two players, one on each side of the track.

This sport has its origin in the 6th century BC, as it was practiced by Egypt and Persia, with the particularity that instead of the racket the hands were used.

Likewise, other cultures such as the Greek and Roman were fond of this game, until it spread throughout the Mediterranean Sea. On the other hand, in 1530 Henry VII built the “Hampton Court” to play tennis.

In this same order of ideas, the century of greatest heyday of tennis was the XVI. In France, a courtyard was built in the Louvre palace for Henry II, the son of Francis I, to play this sport, being one of the best tennis players of his time. 

On the other hand, it is important to know who invented tennis as we know it today. Well, this sport was created by Walter Clopton Wingfield, in the year 1873. He himself patented it and, later, marketed it at his time; many people called it lawn tennis.

The evolution of tennis

Tennis was evolving and that is how in 1875 the tennis association better known as Leamington Club was created. Likewise, 3 years later (1877) the Wimbledon tournament was born, based on lawn tennis. Some years later, it was selected as an Olympic sport, specifically in the years 1826 and 1924. The Wimbledon tournaments were very famous since their creation, because excellent athletes met there.

The main tennis tournaments

In the 1970s, professionalism in tennis was accepted, so athletes created their own associations. They are the ones in charge of organizing each tournament.

In 1972 the ATP was founded to control the men’s organization and the WTA began in Houston on September 23, 1970.

Next, find out about the most important tournaments in the world of tennis.

Grand Slam

The Grand Slam is the most important circuit in men’s tennis worldwide. This is constituted by 4 tournaments: Australian Open, Wimbledon, United States Open and Roland Garros.

We also mention that the players with the most Grand Slams are Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Rod Laver, Fred Perry, Roy Emerson, Andre Agassi and Don Budge.

Budge was the first to win all 4 tournaments in the same year (1938). Likewise, the best tennis player in history according to the ATP is Jimmy Connors, since he has 109 titles and 164 finals.

Australian Open

This tournament began on September 17, 1905, in the city of Melbourne. It is considered the first of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments. It takes place on grass courts during the month of January in the aforementioned city.

In addition, the competition is divided into several categories which can be doubles and singles, where men and women play separately. Also, there is the mixed doubles category where couples made up of a man and a woman play.

Wimbledon

The first tournament was held in 1877, being the oldest of all. In addition to this, you should know that at Wimbledon the matches are also played on the grass. The tournament lasts for two weeks and can be extended when there is rain. In the same way, the simultaneous tennis match is played there for the women’s and men’s singles, mixed doubles and men’s and women’s doubles tennis categories. Even at Wimbledon youth games are held, both for men and women. 

On the other hand, this championship has been the setting for the best tennis match in history, in 2008, starring Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the latter being the winner.

US Open

The US Open began on August 31, 1881, at the Newport Casino. There they only accepted the male individual modality. This is the fourth and last Grand Slam tournament, held annually in August and September on a hard court.

For this tournament the game of tennis is held in 5 modalities, mixed doubles, women’s and men’s singles, as well as men’s and women’s doubles.

Roland Garros

This was the second Grand Slam tournament and began in 1891. It takes place for two weeks in the month of May, in the city of Paris. Also, it is considered the main tournament held on land.

Roland Garros has been the scene of games where tennis rackets have been used by players of the stature of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles category and Iga Świątek and Sofia Kenin in the women’s category.

Tennis rules and court measurements

The rules of tennis are important to know; Next, we mention the most important ones.

       – The player can only hit the ball once per turn.

       – The start of the match begins with the serve of one of the tennis players.

       – The match can be won with 2 sets or 3 sets, everything will depend on whether you play the best of 3 or the best of 5.

       – Players must change sides of the court throughout the match, at the end of the first, third and fifth tennis games.

       – For no reason the tennis player can touch the net, since this is considered a lost point for him.

In another order of ideas, a tennis player must have good tennis equipment. Among the most important accessories are tennis shoes and rackets.  

On the other hand, the measurements of a tennis court must be 23.77 m (length) and 8.23 ​​m (width) for individual matches and 23.77 m long and 10.97 m wide. regarding double matches. These tennis court data are those established by the ITF, International Tennis Federation.

Finally, if you want to enjoy all the matches of the 4 tournaments, we recommend you buy the best Smart TV of the moment.