Introduction
Tennis originated from a 12th century French game called paume (meaning palm); it was a court game where the ball was struck with the hand. Paume evolved into jeu de paume and rackets were used. The game spread and evolved in Europe. In 1873, Major Walter Wingfield invented a game called Sphairistikč (Greek for "playing ball) from which modern outdoor tennis evolved.
Games of racket and ball (including real tennis in Great Britain, royal tennis in Australia, and court tennis in the United States, all of which are the same game and played indoors) originated from a 12th and 13th century French handball game called jeu de paume (game of the palm). In 1873, Major Walter Wingfield invented a game called sphairistikč, from which modern outdoor tennis evolved.
History
The game of tennis is the same everywhere. The name given to the game differs in different countries. In Great Britain it is called Tennis or, to distinguish it from Lawn Tennis, Real Tennis or Royal Tennis. In the USA it is called Court Tennis: in France Jeu de Paume (hand ball): and in Australia Royal Tennis. The various names throw light on the development of the game. Tennis wasy played in 5th century Tuscany when villagers used to strike balls up and down the streets with bare hands.
In Great Britain, as in France, royal patronage ensured the continued popularity of the game. French Kings in the 16th century and Stuart Kings in the 17th century were enthusiastic players. George IV (1763-1830), Prince Albert (1819-1861) - there is a locker in the changing room at Hampton Court Palace which still bears his name - Edward VII (1842-1910) and George V (1866-1936) have all supported the game.
Lawn Tennis, which derived from Real Tennis in about 1874, is played on a marked-out surface without side or end walls. Court Tennis, to use the American name for Tennis, indicates that Tennis is played in a specially court with walls on four sides.
Wimbledon History
Wimbledon History The most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam event not to have a fixed date, commencing six weeks before the first Monday in August.
The tournament lasts for a fortnight, or for as long as necessary to complete all events.
Today, Wimbledon boasts the most talented players in the world and annual attendances of over 450,000 people.
But it is not just the calibre of players which makes the Wimbledon Championships so special, but also their rich history. For a professional tennis player, winning Wimbledon is the pinnacle of any career.
The first Wimbledon event was staged in 1877 by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, to raise money for a new roller. The competition had only 22 male participants. It wasn't until 1884 that the Ladies' Singles and Men's Doubles was introduced.
The game's first superstars were British twins Ernest and William Renshaw. Together the "Renshaw Rush", either separately or as Doubles partners, won 13 titles between 1881 and 1889. The event achieved global status in 1905, when May Sutton of the United States became the first overseas winner, claiming the Ladies' Singles title.
