The sport of tennis has grown from a humble game of handball into one of the most global and iconic sports on the planet. The origins of tennis can be traced back to medieval times, evolving into Victorian lawn tennis, and ultimately transitioning into the Open Era, which allowed tennis to professionalize. This article will explore the roots of tennis from its conception to modern times.
Ancient Roots: Jeu de Paume & Real Tennis
The earliest known version of tennis dates back to the 12th–13th century in France, when the “game of the palm” named jeu de paume was used to describe a game of handball played in courtyards and monasteries. Using their hands, gloves, paddles, and later rackets to play, the medieval sport formed the foundations of the tennis we know and recognize today.
In the 16th century, the introduction of rackets solidified the idea of modern tennis. Royal patronage helped the sport flourish. King Louis X died shortly after a strenuous match in 1316, and King Henry VIII built a court at Hampton Court Palace in 1530 (still preserved today).
The Birth of Lawn Tennis in Victorian England
Lawn tennis began in the mid-19th century. Major Harry Gem and his companion, Augurio Perera, merged racquets and balls on croquet lawns to form a new game. Major Harry Gem created the very first tennis club in Leamington Spa in 1874.
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) codified rules for rectangular courts by 1875. The All England Club adopted these rules in its inaugural championship year in 1877, leading to the birth of lawn tennis.
The First Wimbledon Championship of 1877
The All England Lawn Tennis Club is both a tennis and croquet club, founded in July 1868. Lawn tennis was later introduced in 1875.
The club committee in June 1877 staged a Gentlemen’s Singles lawn-tennis championship to raise funds. Only 22 amateur players entered, paying one guinea each. The rule of net height, the 15-30-40 scoring system, and court size were all introduced anew and later became universal worldwide.
The tournament opened on 9 July 1877. After having been interrupted by rain delays, it finished on 19 July, when Spencer Gore beat William Marshall in straight sets. Up to 200 spectators paid one shilling a head for the tournament.
Expansion: Women, Doubles & National Associations
Ladies’ Singles and Men’s Doubles tournaments were added in 1884 at Wimbledon. The women’s singles title of the inaugural year was won by a British woman named Maud Watson.
The first US national men’s championship was later officially named the US Open. It was born in 1881 in Newport, Rhode Island, with the US National Women’s Singles Championship commencing in 1887.
The French Championships opened in 1891 to members of the French Club only. The Australasian Championships (now Australian Open) began in 1905.
The International Lawn Tennis Federation, now the ITF, was formed in 1913 to unify rules and recognize grand events, now called Slams, around the world.
Tennis Highlights of the 20th Century
1908 Olympics: Lawn tennis was featured at the London Games, with indoor and outdoor grass tournaments held at the Queen’s Club and All England Club, respectively, and women’s singles were included for the first time.
1922: Wimbledon relocated from Worple Road to its current site at Church Road. It allowed for Centre Court expansion; No. 1 Court opened in 1924.
1926: The future King George VI, then Duke of York, took part in Wimbledon. He was the only monarch who participated, although he lost his first-round match.
World Wars I & II: Wimbledon was closed from 1915–18 and 1940–45. The war forces used the courts during World War II. The Axis powers later bombed Centre Court.
1957: Althea Gibson, who was the first black woman to have won the women’s singles at Wimbledon, had her winnings presented to her by Queen Elizabeth II during her initial tour as queen.
1968: The Open Era began, with professionals able to play in Grand Slams, such as Wimbledon, which for the first time in 1968 paid out prize money. Men and women did not receive equal prize money until 2007.
Modern Era of Technology, Tradition & Global Reach
Television: Wimbledon matches were first televised in 1937. The first colour tennis match broadcast was from Wimbledon in 1967.
Equipment & Gear: The transition between the 1960s and 1970s involved a shift from wooden rackets to metal frames (c. 1967) and large heads on rackets (c. 1976). Tennis balls evolved from white to high‑visibility yellow. Apparel changed from all‑white Victorian garb to modern sport styles.
Governance: The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) governs the Wimbledon tennis tournament. Debbie Jevans became chair of the club in 2023. She is the first woman to hold the role. The club manages rules, traditions, and tournament operations yearly.
Royal Patronage: Since 1907, British royals have supported Wimbledon events. They’ve held Patron and President roles. These roles have been passed down through royal family members.
Fun Facts
- “Sphairistikè”, Wingfield’s original name for the game, is Greek for “the art of playing ball”.
- The modern tennis scoring system (15, 30, 40, game) may have been based on a clock face, with each point moving the hand by a quarter: 15, 30, 45. Over time, 45 was shortened to 40 for simplicity.
- The record attendance of just 200 spectators at the first Wimbledon in 1877 is a far cry from today’s 500,000+ fans across two weeks of the event.
- The word “tennis” is believed to derive from the French word “tenez”, meaning “take heed” or “ready,” which servers shouted before delivering a serve.
Impact & Globalization of Tennis
Wingfield, Gem, and Perera popularised lawn tennis, spreading it throughout Britain, Europe, North America, and the world by the late 19th century.
The creation of the International Lawn Tennis Federation in 1913 brought international standardization of rules. It lawfully solidified the Grand Slam tournaments (US, Wimbledon, French, Australian) as the game’s pinnacle level of competition.
The Open Era (post 1968) saw tennis as a popular commercial global sport, with huge pro tours, television rivalries (such as Borg‑McEnroe, Navratilova‑Evert, Federer‑Nadal), sponsorships, and prize money.
From Monasteries to Grand Slams
Tennis has evolved from hand-served match games in the French monasteries to a globally recognized sport. Historic moments, such as Sphairistikè, the start of Wimbledon, and the Open Era, have shaped the rules, technology, and culture of tennis.
Along the way, tennis legends such as Spencer Gore, Maud Watson, Althea Gibson, Arthur Ashe, and many more have had a significant impact.
Whether you compete on a school court or sit and observe champions competing on Centre Court, you are participating in a sport that is almost nine centuries in the making.
A Stronger Mindset for Tennis Players
As mainly a solo sport, mindset is a big part of Tennis. After big-name athletes like Simone Biles and Kevin Love opened up about their mental fitness journeys, athletes everywhere started to value the mind game more.
ISNation was built to help athletes train their minds with the same effort they train their bodies to prepare them for competition and give them an edge in sport and in life. Learn more about our mission and sign up to be an ambassador here.
