The millions of people who watch and play tennis definitely know about graphite rackets, colorful tennis outfits, Venus Williams and Roger Federer. However, they may not be as aware of how tennis began and events that led to the sport becoming what it is today. A little look into the past can reveal some interesting facts about just how long people have been playing the game and how far it has come since its beginnings.
The Origins of Tennis
Tennis traces its roots back nearly 1,000 years to a time when hands---instead of rackets---were used to strike the ball. That game, called "Paume," which means palm, proved to be very popular in 12th century France. By the time the game spread to England during the reign of Henry VII, rackets had been introduced. The courts built in England at this time, however, were all indoors and far narrower than the tennis courts of today. This indoor game also allowed for the ball to be hit off the walls when returning it to the opponent's side of the court.
Lawn Tennis
Improvements in tennis equipment during the 1800s led to considerable changes. The ball, which had previously been fashioned out of wood or leather, began being made of rubber. Additionally, tennis moved outdoors to grass courts. In 1874, Major Walter C. Wingfield, a British army officer, received the patent rights for the equipment and rules that would govern this new outdoor version. That same year, the first lawn tennis courts in the United States appeared. The game, however, would not long remain a casual social activity, as it was intended. Lawn tennis rapidly became a highly competitive affair and tournaments were organized to serve the passionate following.
Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships
The year 1877 saw the first tennis championship in Great Britain. Sponsored by the newly formed All England Club, this tournament came to be known as Wimbledon, named after the location of the event. Spencer Gore---the winner of that first tournament---went home with the Silver Challenge Cup. While the only event at the first Wimbledon tournament was men's singles, ladies were added to the competition in 1884. In 1881, just four years after the first Wimbledon, the first United States Championship was held in Newport, Rhode Island, the eventual home of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
The Open Era
Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships were eventually joined by the French and Australian Championships to form the four majors of tournament tennis. It was not until 1968, however, that all of the best players in the game were allowed to compete in these events. Prior to that time, only amateurs could take part; professionals were barred from competition. The year 1968 saw the advent of what is known as the "open era," including all players---pros and amateurs---in the most prominent tennis events.
Tennis Today
All of these developments have led to the modern game of tennis. Equipment has continued to improve, with wooden rackets disappearing in favor of graphite. The game is played on a variety of surfaces, including grass, clay and cement. Tennis players hit the ball harder today than ever, with most pros serving at speeds over 100 mph. Despite those differences, however, some things from the past remain: Wimbledon still requires players to wear white, and competitors continue to follow the tradition of meeting at the net following a match to shake hands in a show of good sportsmanship.
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