History Of Tennis

The beginning of tennis is somewhat a matter of dispute. One side of the tennis history story tells about ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks playing a game ancestor to modern-day tennis. Descriptions and drawings that link “tennis-like” games in those times have not been uncovered, however some Arabic words that date back to ancient Egypt are cited as proofs.

Theories on the early history of tennis
The theory states that the term “tennis” is derived from the name of an Egyptian town “Tinnis”, which was situated alongside the river Nile. Moreover, the term “racquet” developed from an Arabic name used to refer to the palm of the hand called “rahat”. Apart from these words, proof for whatever form of the tennis game prior to the year 1000 is incomplete.

Because of this lack of evidence for the “Egyptian theory” about the history of tennis, the majority of historians credit the game’s first origins to the French monks of the 11th or 12th century. The French monks started to play a “crude handball” against the walls of their monastery, and over a rope that was strung across their courtyard. This game was named “jeu de paume”, meaning “game of the hand”.

Still other historians who dispute more ancient beginnings of the history of tennis, argue that the name “tennis” is taken from the French word “tenez”, which more or less means “take this”, as one player serves the other.

Evolutions Of The Game

As the game increasingly became popular, the courtyard area for playing the game began to change into indoor courts –walls were still used for playing the game. When bare hands became too uncomfortable for playing the game, players started to use gloves. Later the gloves began to have webbing between its fingers or a hard paddle. This idea was followed by webbing that was attached to some kind of handle – from this concept came the idea of the racquet, which became a part of the history of tennis.

On the other hand, “rubber balls” were still light years away. Records in the history of tennis mentions of a “wad of hair, wool, or cork” that was wrapped in string and leather or cloth, were used as a tennis ball. Later, they were hand-stitched in “felt” that looked like the modern baseball.

Spread Of The Game

The popularity of the game in France spread throughout as many as 1800 courts by 13th century. It became such a famous diversion that both Louis IV and the Pope attempted to ban it, but was unsuccessful. Soon enough, it spread throughout England, where Henry VII and Henry VIII became avid players, promoting the construction of more tennis courts.

Courts And Racquets Develop

By 1500, wooden-framed racquets strung with “sheep gut” was commonly used, as well as the “cork-cored” ball that weighed about three ounces. Early tennis courts were somewhat different from today’s “lawn tennis”. This early game of tennis matured into what’s now named “real tennis”, and the Hampton Court built in 1625 in England is still being used for the game today.

Only a few of these types of court remain. The court is an indoor and narrow court, where “ the ball is played off walls” which has some openings and unusual surfaces to which players aim for different “strategic” purposes. Its net is 5’ in height on both ends, and 3’ high in its middle –this creates pronounced droop.

Tennis Today

Today, tennis is one of the most popular participation and spectator sports, with millions of people playing the game worldwide. There are also lots of tournaments that many famous star players compete in. Who would have thought that from the humble beginnings of monastery walls would evolve one of the most exciting sports in history.