The evolution of the game of Tennis; Part 1
The history of tennis dates back to many hundred years. In 12th century, European monks used to celebrate their religious rituals coupled with a lot of exciting activities where they used to play a game in which the ball was hit with the hands. With the passage of time, the routine was changed and a leather glove was introduced. As time passed on, various varieties were brought into the game and they learned some new techniques for punching and serving the ball. The first racquet came into existence when the leather glove started creating problems. A great tone was set for the game and it gained more popularity. In the meantime, the game ball also underwent various modifications. It started with the wooden ball and had different alterations afterwards. Moreover, the wooden ball had problems with its bounce and some soft material was the need of hour. Consequently, the leather ball was invented.
The game steadily evolved in Europe and due to its popularity, the royal family of France adopted this game and set it on the right direction. It was during this era that the name of tennis came into being. ‘Jeu De Paumme' was what the French used to call this game. Gradually with time, the word ‘Tenez’ was used by players which meant ‘play’. Players in France had to call tenez in order to start this game which gradually evolved into the word tennis. It became more popular than its French name which is how the word tennis came into being.
After the 16th and 17th century, the game improved further. As its reputation grew, British Army Officer Major Walter Clopton Wingfield purchased the rights of the game in 1874. Wingfield actually proposed an hourglass shape for the tennis court. The courts were narrower with an indoor court wall which was used to strike the ball. The net was five feet high from the outset and three feet high from the middle. It was called ‘Real Tennis’. After many deliberations, rectangular courts for tennis were invented in England in 1877 and first Wimbledon tournament was held on these courts. In that championship, 22 men participated and the English Spencer Gore was the first ever Wimbledon Champion in the history of tennis.
In that period of time, the decimal system was different. The number 60 was considered complete in the similar way to which number 100 is considered to be a complete figure now. The number 60 was considered a “game” and they sliced it into four step points of 15, 30, 45 and 60. Likewise, this scoring system was also compared to the clock at the end of court. The score was compared to the quarter clock hand with the move 15, 30, 45 and 60. These rules were practised until 1882 and after that they evolved to their current form. By the end of 19th century, tennis had been introduced into the British colonies and other nations on the globe including United States of America.
The US hosted the first Grand Slam tournament in August 1881 at Newport Casino in Newport Rhode Island. It only featured the men’s singles event which was known as the U.S. National Singles Championship. The Women’s Singles Championship was organised in 1887 and it was arranged at the Philadelphia Cricket club. The men’s double championship started in 1900 for the first time and it was followed by the Women’s Doubles Championship in the year 1989. As a result, the United States was the first country to build the first proper tennis court and they set a trend for other countries to do the same. Then it was called lawn tennis instead of real tennis.
From 1890 to 1900 Lawn Tennis extended all over the world, largely due to the English presence on all continents. The term “Lawn Tennis” Was gradually abandoned in support of simple “Tennis” because of the variety of the surfaces like clay, cement, grass. This term has been patented for the sport after 1900 and it still bears the same name.
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