1. Tennis Traces Its Roots to the 12th Century
The origins of tennis date back to 12th-century France, where monks played a game called jeu de paume (game of the palm). Instead of rackets, they used their hands to hit the ball against walls or over a rope. Over time, wooden paddles were introduced, evolving into the modern racket.
2. The Word “Tennis” Comes from French
The term “tennis” originates from the French word tenez, meaning “take” or “receive.” It was commonly shouted by players before serving the ball in jeu de paume, much like today’s “Let’s go!” or “Play!” in modern tennis matches.
3. Wimbledon Is the Oldest Tennis Tournament
Established in 1877, Wimbledon is the world’s oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament. It was originally played at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club with only 22 male participants. Women’s singles and doubles were introduced later, in 1884.
4. The First Tennis Balls Were Made of Wood
Before the modern rubberized tennis balls, early versions were made of solid wood or leather stuffed with hair or wool. In the 19th century, Charles Goodyear’s discovery of vulcanized rubber revolutionized the game, leading to the bouncy balls we use today.
5. The Grand Slam Term Came from Bridge, Not Tennis
The term “Grand Slam” originally came from the card game bridge, where it referred to winning all possible tricks in a hand. It was later adopted in the 1930s to describe winning all four major tennis tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open) in a single year.
6. The First Women’s Tennis Star Was Suzanne Lenglen
French tennis legend Suzanne Lenglen dominated women’s tennis in the 1920s, winning six Wimbledon titles. She was known for her flamboyant style, graceful play, and for breaking societal norms by wearing knee-length dresses instead of the traditional ankle-length attire.
7. Tennis Was Originally an Olympic Sport, Then Got Dropped
Tennis was part of the first modern Olympics in 1896 but was removed from the Games in 1924 due to disputes over amateurism. It took 64 years for tennis to return as an official Olympic sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
8. The Open Era Changed Tennis Forever
Before 1968, professional players were banned from competing in Grand Slam tournaments. The introduction of the Open Era allowed both amateurs and professionals to compete together, paving the way for stars like Rod Laver, Björn Borg, and Serena Williams.
9. The Longest Tennis Match Lasted Over 11 Hours
At Wimbledon 2010, John Isner and Nicolas Mahut played the longest match in tennis history, lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days. The final set alone took 8 hours and 11 minutes, with Isner winning 70-68. This epic battle led to rule changes introducing final-set tiebreaks at major tournaments.
10. The Fastest Recorded Serve Exceeded 263 km/h
Australian player Sam Groth holds the record for the fastest tennis serve, clocking in at 263.4 km/h (163.7 mph) during a Challenger match in 2012. In the women’s game, the fastest serve belongs to Sabine Lisicki at 210.8 km/h (131.0 mph).
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