Tennis: the story on HearLore

Tennis

In 12th-century northern France, a ball was struck with the palm of the hand during early court games. Louis X of France became history's first tennis player known by name after he died following an exhausting game in June 1316 at Vincennes. He had constructed indoor courts in Paris around the end of the 13th century to play indoors rather than outside. The word tennis likely comes from the French term tenez, meaning hold or receive, used as a call from server to opponent. Henry VIII of England later became a big fan of this game, now called real tennis. During the 18th and early 19th centuries, new racket sports emerged in England as real tennis declined. The invention of the lawn mower in Britain in 1830 helped prepare modern-style grass courts for these new games. Between 1859 and 1865, Harry Gem and Augurio Perera developed a game combining racquets and Basque pelota on a croquet lawn in Birmingham. They founded the world's first tennis club on Avenue Road, Leamington Spa, in 1872. On the 8th of December 1874, British army officer Walter Clopton Wingfield wrote to Harry Gem about his version of lawn tennis. In December 1873, Wingfield patented a game called sphairistikè, which became known simply as sticky. He produced boxed sets including nets, poles, rackets, balls, and rules that he sent worldwide through connections with clergy and aristocracy. The oldest annual tournament took place at Leamington Lawn Tennis Club in 1874, three years before Wimbledon held its first championships. Mary Ewing Outerbridge returned from Bermuda in 1874 with a sphairisket set and laid out a court at Staten Island Cricket Club. The first American National championship occurred there in September 1880 when O.E. Woodhouse won the singles title by defeating Canadian I.F. Hellmuth. An Englishman named O.E. Woodhouse defeated Canadian I.F. Hellmuth for the silver cup worth $100. On the 21st of May 1881, the United States National Lawn Tennis Association formed to standardize rules and organize competitions. The US National Men's Singles Championship began in 1881 at Newport Casino while women's championships started in Philadelphia in 1887.

Equipment Technology

Common questions

When did Louis X of France die after playing tennis?

Louis X of France died in June 1316 at Vincennes following an exhausting game. He was history's first tennis player known by name and had constructed indoor courts in Paris around the end of the 13th century to play indoors rather than outside.

Who invented lawn tennis and when was it patented?

Walter Clopton Wingfield wrote about his version of lawn tennis on the 8th of December 1874 and patented a game called sphairistikè in December 1873 which became known simply as sticky. Harry Gem and Augurio Perera developed a game combining racquets and Basque pelota between 1859 and 1865 before founding the world's first tennis club on Avenue Road, Leamington Spa, in 1872.

What are the official weight and diameter standards for tennis balls?

The International Tennis Federation defines official ball diameter as between 65.41 millimeters and 68.58 millimeters. Balls must weigh between 56.0 grams and 59.4 grams to meet regulation standards and traditionally changed from white to optic yellow in the latter part of the 20th century for improved visibility.

When did tennis return to the Summer Olympics after its initial withdrawal?

Tennis appeared as an original Olympic sport consistently part of Summer Games since 1988 following withdrawal after 1924 competition. It returned 60 years later as 21-and-under demonstration event in 1984 credited to ITF president Philippe Chatrier and general secretary David Gray before full-medal status was reintroduced at Seoul Olympics in 1988.

Who won the first American National championship in September 1880?

O.E. Woodhouse defeated Canadian I.F. Hellmuth for the silver cup worth $100 when the first American National championship occurred there in September 1880. The United States National Lawn Tennis Association formed on the 21st of May 1881 to standardize rules and organize competitions while the US National Men's Singles Championship began in 1881 at Newport Casino.

Rules And Scoring

A game consists of points played with the same player serving until one wins at least four points total plus two more than opponent. Scores from zero to three points are described as love, 15, 30, and 40 respectively. When both players reach 40 apiece, the score becomes deuce instead of calling it 40-40. If a player leads by one point after deuce, the score reads advantage for that player. During informal games, advantage can be called ad in or van in when serving ahead, or ad out or van out when receiving ahead. Tournament chair umpires announce point counts like 15-love after each point before declaring winners. A set typically requires winning at least six games plus two more than opponent. If score reaches 6-6, an additional tiebreak game determines the set winner with final score of 7-6. Tiebreaks allow one player to win seven points minimum plus two more than opponent under separate rules. Two players serve by ABBA system during tiebreaks which has been proven fair. Sets without tiebreaks continue indefinitely until one player leads by two-game margin, sometimes creating remarkably long matches. Match outcomes determine through best-of-three or five sets systems depending on tournament type. Professional men play best-of-five-set matches at Grand Slams while women play best-of-three everywhere. From 1984 through 1998, women played first-to-win-three-sets in WTA Tour Championships finals only. No-ad scoring creates games where four points win regardless of two-point lead requirement. Receiver chooses service side on seventh and deciding point when no-ad applies. Pro sets involve playing eight or ten games by two-game margin instead of standard six-game format. Match tiebreaks replace third sets requiring ten points instead of seven to decide match outcome. Fast4 offers shortened formats with four points per game and sudden death at four-all scores. Players must be ready within sixty seconds after swapping sides during Fast4 matches. Between sets, players may sit down but must prepare within ninety seconds for next action. Service occurs no more than twenty seconds after previous point ends except during odd-numbered game changes allowing ninety-second breaks. Chair umpires issue warnings then penalties including point loss or default for repeated stalling violations.

Professional Circuit Structure

The ATP Masters 1000 group contains nine annual tournaments forming second-highest echelon in men's tennis. Each win earns winner 1000 ranking points toward world standings. Hamilton Jordan led ATP when running men's tour began in 1990 designating top nine outside Grand Slams as Super 9 events. In 2000 this became Tennis Masters Series then renamed ATP Masters Series by 2004. World's top eight players compete annually at ATP Finals held in Turin since November end-of-year competition. Major changes announced August 2007 introduced in 2009 renaming series to ATP Masters 1000 with number referring to ranking points earned. Monte-Carlo Masters remains part of series though lacking mandatory player commitment unlike other events. Hamburg Masters downgraded to 500-point event while Madrid moved to May onto clay courts replacing indoor October slot. Shanghai tournament took over Madrid's former position as of 2011 making six combined ATP-WTA events out of nine total. Third tier includes eleven ATP 500 series tournaments while fourth tier holds forty ATP 250 series events. Dubai Tennis Championships offer largest financial incentive totaling US$2,313,975 in 2012 prize money. Challenger Tour represents lowest level administered by ATP composed about 150 diverse country-hosted events. Futures Tournaments sit below Challenger offering funds between US$10,000 and US$15,000 across approximately 530 annual competitions. Andre Agassi used Challenger Series events for match experience after dropping to World No. 141 between Grand Slam victories. WTA rebranded in 2021 resembling men's structure providing extra simplicity for fans and consumers. Numbers indicate different levels rather than ranking points or prize money amounts directly. WTA 1000 Tournaments formerly Premier Mandatory and Premier 5 form seven-tournament second-highest women's tier. Fifteen WTA 500 Series events replace Premier 700 category while thirty WTA 250 Series tournaments replace International designation. Fourteen WTA 125 Series tournaments constitute lowest tier previously called 125K Series. Professional players receive clothing equipment endorsements but remain unsalaried needing high finishes for prize money earnings.

Legendary Athletes

Bill Tilden named greatest player first half 20th century by Associated Press poll conducted in 1950. From 1920 to 1930 he won Wimbledon three times plus seven US Championships titles. Donald Budge became first person winning all four major singles titles same calendar year Grand Slam during 1938. He also secured six consecutive major titles spanning 1937 and 1938 earning praise from Tilden calling him finest player 365 days ever lived. Jack Kramer claimed based on consistent play Budge greatest player ever though some observers felt Kramer deserved consideration himself. Kramer dominated amateur professional tennis late 1940s early 1950s Tony Trabert stated best male champion before Open Era start. Pancho Gonzales Lew Hoad added list contenders before and during Open Era with Gonzales believing Hoad game best ever. Rod Laver remains only male winning calendar year Grand Slam twice 1962 1969 plus Professional Grand Slam 1967. Jimmy Connors Björn Borg John McEnroe rivalry propelled men's game new heights popularity late 1970s early 1980s. Connors holds Open Era records including 109 titles eight Grand Slams 1,557 matches played 1,274 match wins. Borg regarded contemporaries among greatest ever calm demeanor unrivaled physical conditioning winning six French Opens five straight Wimbledon titles retiring age 26 prime. McEnroe attained No. 1 ranking singles doubles finishing career 77 singles 78 doubles titles highest combined total Open Era. Agassi-Sampras rivalry showcased two best players 1990s Sampras precise powerful serve while Agassi considered strong competitor. Margaret Court won twenty-four Grand Slam singles titles Serena Williams twenty-three Steffi Graf二十二 Helen Wills Moody nineteen Chris Evert eighteen Martina Navratilova twelve Billie Jean King twelve Maureen Connolly Brinker nine Monica Seles Molla Bjurstedt Mallory eight Suzanne Lenglen Dorothea Lambert Chambers seven Maria Bueno Evonne Goolagong Cawley Venus Williams Justine Henin Blanche Bingley Hillyard six Doris Hart Margaret Osborne duPont Nancye Wynne Bolton Louise Brough Clapp Lottie Dod Charlotte Cooper Sterry Daphne Akhurst Cozens Helen Jacobs Alice Marble Pauline Betz Addie Althea Gibson Martina Hingis Maria Sharapova Iga Świątek.