The History of Tennis

Presentation by: Nikki Cannon

 In the beginning
• Ball games can be traced back to
ancient times and the earliest
representations can be found on
carvings in Egyptian temples.
• The Ancient Egyptians actually
played ball games as part of their
religious ceremonies
• These traditions and the whole
concept of ball games spread into
Europe in the 8th century
influenced by the Moors.
• It was the meeting of Eastern
culture and Christianity that gave
rise to tennis.
Still in the beginning
• Christian Monks became interested in
the religious rites of the Moors and
were the first Europeans to play the
game that was to become tennis.
• The earliest version was called ‘La
Soule’ where they would hit the ball
with their hands or a stick off of
walls. It became so popular that the
church considered banning it!
• The game started out with just using
the hands but over time the leather
glove was replaced by a wooden
handle.
• The game soon became very popular
by the French royals.
 Real Tennis
• It was in France that the game as we
know it today really came into being.
• The French players would begin a
game by shouting ‘teniz’ or ‘Play!’
and this is how it got it’s name.
• Real Tennis was actually very
different from the game we know
today. It was played indoors, the ball
was hit off the walls, and the ball
went into chases instead of only
bouncing once.
• Tennis spread throughout Europe,
becoming especially popular in
England.
 Lawn Tennis
• During the period of Victorian Prosperity,
enthusiasts had been trying for some time to
adapt the game into an open-air sport and
was brought upon by the development of
vulcanized rubber. This enabled balls that
were soft enough to not damage the grass,
but still maintain the elasticity of rubber.
• Courts were being built in many country
houses and the first tennis clubs providing
facilities for members started to appear.
• The biggest boost for tennis came in 1875,
when the All England Croquet Club decided
to offer lawn tennis as an added attraction. It
was so popular that the club decided to
change it’s name to the All England Croquet
and Tennis Club. In 1877, the first ever
Lawn Tennis tournament was organized
with 22 players and 200 spectators. The
Wimbledon Championship was born.
 Wimbledon
• The Wimbledon Championship was one of
the most significant developments in the
history of tennis. Over the next few years
the sport gained tremendous popularity all
over the world. It was here that new
designs in tennis clothing and racquets
were shown to the world.
• In 1905, May Sutton from the United
States became the first international
player.
• The championships came to an end in
1939 and didn’t resume play until 1946
because of World War Two.
• The most dominating players in tennis
were Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, John
McEnroe, Billy Jean King, Chris Evert,
and Martina Navratilova.
 Tennis is for Everyone!

Today tennis is a world-class competitive

sport played and watched by millions of
people all around the world! A constant
program of tournaments and events
takes place throughout the year and top
players have become sporting icons.
Something that was once a pastime for
kings has become a sport for all!
 The End!
Love Means Nothing to a Tennis Player!