Evolution of the Game “Tennis”

Tennis is a sport that can be played individually against a single opponent termed as “singles” or between two teams of two players each called “doubles” by a racket. The object of the game is to play the ball in such a way that the opponent player is not able to play a valid return. Tennis played at all levels of society and by people of all ages. It is believed by most of the historians that tennis was originated in 12th century, in the monastic cloisters in France. At that time the ball was struck with the palm of the hand, thus, the named as jeu de paume ("game of the palm”). The Medieval form of tennis is termed as real tennis. Rackets came into use in the 16th century and the game began to be called "tennis." Initially it was popular in England and France. It is said that Henry VIII of England was a big fan of the game, tennis. The Tennis promoter C.C. Pyle had the first professional tennis tour with a group of American and French tennis players playing exhibition matches to paying audiences in 1926. Tennis balls also gone through frequent modifications. First tennis ball was from wood. Later the tennis ball was filled with cellulose material to give way to a bouncier. Tennis was highly regarded by kings and nobleman between the 16th and 18th centuries. The first racquet was invented in Italy.

By: Anita

Content: www.tennistheme.com