October 2006Science in Sports & Exercise TENNIS A Brief History

Early Tennis Tennis is said to have originated in 13 th century French monasteries. Tennis is said to have originated in 13 th century French monasteries. Tennis – French tenez meaning play. Tennis – French tenez meaning play. A sheepskin ball filled with sand, sawdust or wool (non-bouncing) was hit with an open hand over a rope strung across the monastery courtyard. A sheepskin ball filled with sand, sawdust or wool (non-bouncing) was hit with an open hand over a rope strung across the monastery courtyard. Playing with the hand Playing with the hand evolved into playing with a glove evolved into playing with a glove glove with webbing between the fingers glove with webbing between the fingers a solid paddle a solid paddle eventually a sort of racquet was developed – a webbed glove with a handle. eventually a sort of racquet was developed – a webbed glove with a handle. Balls still did not bounce. Balls still did not bounce. By 1500 or so a wooden racquet frame strung with sheeps gut was generally used and balls were cork-cored. By 1500 or so a wooden racquet frame strung with sheeps gut was generally used and balls were cork-cored. The game caught on with the royalty and became known as real or royal tennis and was called jeu de paume – game of the palm. The game caught on with the royalty and became known as real or royal tennis and was called jeu de paume – game of the palm.

Popularity of Tennis Royal tennis grew in popularity through the centuries to the point where both the Pope and King Louis IV attempted to ban it. Royal tennis grew in popularity through the centuries to the point where both the Pope and King Louis IV attempted to ban it. Spread to England early 16 th century, and both Henry VII and Henry VIII were avid players, promoting the building of more courts. Spread to England early 16 th century, and both Henry VII and Henry VIII were avid players, promoting the building of more courts. The games popularity waned during the 1700s because of the French Revolution, but enjoyed a resurgence following the conflict The games popularity waned during the 1700s because of the French Revolution, but enjoyed a resurgence following the conflict In 1850, with the invention of vulcanized rubber, players began to try the game with the bouncy rubber balls on outdoor grass courts and a new game was born. In 1850, with the invention of vulcanized rubber, players began to try the game with the bouncy rubber balls on outdoor grass courts and a new game was born.

Changing the Game Modern tennis is credited to British Army Major Walter Wingfield. Modern tennis is credited to British Army Major Walter Wingfield. patented a portable equipment set, making tennis more accessible. patented a portable equipment set, making tennis more accessible. Lawn tennis caught on quickly in Great Britain and the first world championship was played at Wimbledon in Lawn tennis caught on quickly in Great Britain and the first world championship was played at Wimbledon in Wimbledon launched a womens championship Wimbledon launched a womens championship.

Tennis Comes to the United States Tennis came to the United States around 1874, via a New Yorker, Mary Ewing Outerbridge, who was introduced to the game by a friend of Major Wingfields. Tennis came to the United States around 1874, via a New Yorker, Mary Ewing Outerbridge, who was introduced to the game by a friend of Major Wingfields. She helped establish the first US Open played in Newport RI in 1881-men only. She helped establish the first US Open played in Newport RI in 1881-men only. Women were allowed in Women were allowed in 1887.

Major Tournaments Wimbledon, Great Britain Wimbledon, Great Britain 1877 men; 1884 women 1877 men; 1884 women US Open US Open 1881 men; 1887 women 1881 men; 1887 women French Championship French Championship 1891 men; 1897 women; French citizens only until 1925 when Tournament evolved into French Open 1891 men; 1897 women; French citizens only until 1925 when Tournament evolved into French Open Australian Open Australian Open Davis Cup Davis Cup

Grand Slam Four major championships are won in one year Four major championships are won in one year Wimbledon, French Open, US Open, Australian Open Wimbledon, French Open, US Open, Australian Open American Don Budge was first winner 1838 American Don Budge was first winner 1838 Most recently Stephi Graf won in 1988 Most recently Stephi Graf won in 1988 Serena Williams won in 2002 & 2003 Serena Williams won in 2002 & 2003

Modern Tennis Is played on a court of regulated size, in which two to four players attempt to hit a ball, specifically designed for the game, with racquets, also specifically designed for the game, over a net of regulation height, placed in the center of the court. Is played on a court of regulated size, in which two to four players attempt to hit a ball, specifically designed for the game, with racquets, also specifically designed for the game, over a net of regulation height, placed in the center of the court.

Required Equipment Tennis court with net Tennis court with net Tennis racquet Tennis racquet Tennis ball Tennis ball

Desirable Equipment Court shoes Court shoes Cute little outfit Cute little outfit

What they Used to Wear Early 1900s1800s 1940s 1920s

What They Wear Today Andre Agassi Venus WilliamsSerena Williams Dominik Hrbaty

The Aim of the Game Players stand on opposite sides of a net and use a stringed racket to hit a ball back and forth to each other. Players stand on opposite sides of a net and use a stringed racket to hit a ball back and forth to each other. Each player has a maximum of one bounce after it has been hit by their opponent to return the ball over the net and within the boundaries of the court. Each player has a maximum of one bounce after it has been hit by their opponent to return the ball over the net and within the boundaries of the court. Once a player fails to do any of these three things, their opponent wins a point. Once a player fails to do any of these three things, their opponent wins a point. The aim is to win enough points to win a game, enough games to win a set and enough sets to win a match. The aim is to win enough points to win a game, enough games to win a set and enough sets to win a match.

Tennis Scoring Tennis has an unusual scoring system. Tennis has an unusual scoring system. The first point in a game is called 15 and the next 30. So you'd think that the next point should be 45 - but it isn't, it's 40. The first point in a game is called 15 and the next 30. So you'd think that the next point should be 45 - but it isn't, it's 40. Said to have originated from quarters of a clock Said to have originated from quarters of a clock And the score of a player who has not won any points is not 'nil' or 'zero', but 'love'. And the score of a player who has not won any points is not 'nil' or 'zero', but 'love'. said to come from the French word oeuf, which means egg and is shaped like a zero. said to come from the French word oeuf, which means egg and is shaped like a zero. The server's score is always called first by the umpire. The server's score is always called first by the umpire. So if Player A is serving to Player B and Player B wins the point, the score is love-15. So if Player A is serving to Player B and Player B wins the point, the score is love-15. If Player A wins the next point the score is 15-all, and so on If Player A wins the next point the score is 15-all, and so on

Competition and Fun Tennis today is played around the world by professionals, amateurs, and recreational enthusiasts. Tennis today is played around the world by professionals, amateurs, and recreational enthusiasts. Championship games were first open only to male players but eventually opened to women as well. Championship games were first open only to male players but eventually opened to women as well. First world tennis championship was held in 1877 in Wimbledon, Great Britain. The Wimbledon Tournament is still played today and is considered one of the most prestigious tournaments in tennis. First world tennis championship was held in 1877 in Wimbledon, Great Britain. The Wimbledon Tournament is still played today and is considered one of the most prestigious tournaments in tennis.

Influential Players The Four Musketeers – dominated game in late 1920s and 30s. Unseated current American winners. The Four Musketeers – dominated game in late 1920s and 30s. Unseated current American winners. Jean Borotra Jean Borotra Rene Lacoste (the Alligator) Rene Lacoste (the Alligator) Henri Cochet Henri Cochet Jacques Brugnon Jacques Brugnon Rod Laver Rod Laver For his use of topspin For his use of topspin Ivan Lendl Ivan Lendl Athleticism and fitness Athleticism and fitness Martina Navratilova Martina Navratilova Athleticism and fitness Athleticism and fitness Won most tournaments 167 singles; 162 doubles Won most tournaments 167 singles; 162 doubles Chris Everett Chris Everett 125 match winning streak 125 match winning streak Two-handed backhand Two-handed backhand