The Starting points of Tennis - History of Tennis Incredibly, the authentic advancement of tennis goes back a few millennia. Thus, individuals who are included in authentic explorations of this extraordinary game case have found proof of playing tennis in old Greek culture.
The Historical backdrop of the tennis match-up was created from a twelfth-century French handball match-up called "Paume" (palm). In this game, the ball was hit with the hand. After some time "Paume" game created the handball "Jeu de Paume" (round of the palm) and there were utilized racquets. The game was first made by European priests for diversion jobs during stately events. From the beginning, the ball was hit with the hands. Afterward, the cowhide glove appeared. This cowhide glove was supplanted with a versatile handle for viable hitting and serving of the ball. That was the birth of the tennis racquet.
The development of tennis racquets and tennis balls also underwent frequent modifications. The first tennis ball was from wood. Later in history, a tennis ball was filled with cellulose material to give way to a bouncier. Monks from all areas of Europe favored the "Jeu de Paume" game during the 14th century much to the chagrin of the mother Church. The game spread and evolved in Europe.
The game became very popular, especially in France, where was adopted by the royal family. In the year 1316 French king Louis X died after a hard "Jeu de Paume" game (other terms for this stage of the game are Royal Tennis in Great Britain, Royal Tennis in Australia, and Court Tennis in the United States), but this death does null to damp the popularity of the recreation.
16th Century - History of Tennis
Between the 16th and 18th centuries, the game of the palm was highly regarded by kings and noblemen. The French players would begin the palm game by shouting the word "Tenez" (Play!). The palm game soon came to be called "real tennis" or "royal".
The 1530s ▪ HISTORY OF TENNIS ▪ English king Henry VIII built a tennis court at Hampton Court Palace (This court no longer exists but a similar court was built there in 1625 and is in use today).
1583 ▪ FIRST RACKET IN THE HISTORY OF TENNIS ▪ The first racquet was invented in Italy (history of tennis - web source).
19th Century History of Tennis
1870 ▪ WIMBLEDON HISTORY OF TENNIS ▪ In the Wimbledon district of London established All England Croquet Club. Tennis is still an indoor game played by royal and rich benefactors.
1873 ▪ LAWN TENNIS ▪ Major Walter Wingfield invented a version of Real Tennis that can be played outdoors on a lawn. The game was called ‘Sphairistike’ (Greek for "playing ball" ) and was first introduced to Wales(UK). Played on hourglass courts on Manor House lawns by rich English people. This is really where today's tennis developed. Wingfield deals with Sphairistike in boxes that feature two net posts, a net, rackets, and India rubber balls, plus instructions about laying out the court and playing the game. Wingfield’s boxes kick start the modern form of tennis, though the one thing that doesn’t work is the name, and Wingfield soon realizes that his subtitle "lawn tennis" is much better than the greek word "Sphairistike".
1874 ▪ FIRST LAWN TENNIS TOURNAMENT IN THE USA ▪ Joseph and Clarence Clark (brothers), take one of Walter Wingfield’s boxes to America, leading to the first lawn tennis tournament in the USA later that year.
1875 ▪ ALL ENGLAND CROQUET CLUB & History of tennis ▪ Henry Cavendish Jones convinced the All England Croquet Club to replace a croquet court with a lawn tennis court. Marylebone Cricket Club followed suit. Marylebone Cricket Club made significant changes to the game. They added Deuce, Advantage, and 2 chances per serve. The hourglass-shaped court also changed to a rectangular court, identical to the measurements we use today.
1877 ▪ FIRST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP & History of tennis ▪ The very first World Tennis Championship was held at Worple Road in Wimbledon, London (UK). The sponsors were the All England Croquet Club. Only 22 players entered the men's Singles, which was the only event. Spectators paid a mere one shilling to watch the finals. The first winner of this men's event in the tennis history of Wimbledon was Spencer Gore.
1880 ▪ BIRTH OF OVERHEAD SMASH ▪The overhead smash was introduced into the game for the first time in the history of tennis by the Renshaw brothers in Wimbledon. They would dominate Wimbledon for a decade, winning all but the 1880 and 1887 championships between them in the history of tennis. Overhead smash is a shot played above the head, hitting the ball downwards, hard, and fast into your opponent's side of the court.
1881 ▪ FIRST US OPEN - history of tennis ▪ America founded The United States National Lawn Tennis Association (USNLTA), and in the same year it holds its first National Championship, the forerunner of the US Open but then restricted to American residents. It is held in Newport, Rhode Island. The first winner in the history of tennis US National Championships was Dick Sears.
1884 ▪ FIRST M/W DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIPS ▪ The Wimbledon Championships are open to women for the first time. There are only 13 participants. Men's doubles were also introduced in the history of tennis.
1887 ▪ WOMEN U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS & history of tennis ▪ U.S. Championships are open to women for the first time. Lottie Dod wins her first Wimbledon Ladies Singles (Lottie win her first singles match in only 15 years).
1888 ▪ LTA & history of tennis ▪ Lawn Tennis Association founded (LTA) to maintain the new rules and standards of tennis.
1891 ▪ FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIPS & history of tennis ▪ The very first French Championships are played, these Championships were open for French residents only.
1896 ▪ OLYMPIC GAMES ▪ Tennis became one of the core sports in the first modern Olympic Games.
1897 ▪ WOMEN ON FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIPS ▪ The French Championships are open to women for the first time in french tennis history.
1899 ▪ ALL ENGLAND TENNIS & CROQUET CLUB ▪ The England Croquet Club changed its name to the All England Tennis & Croquet Club.