Tennis History

Tennis traces its origins to 12th century France, where it was played as "jeu de paume" (game of the palm), with players hitting a ball with their hands. The modern form of tennis emerged in the 1870s in England, when Major Walter Clopton Wingfield patented a version he called "sphairistikè" (Greek for "playing ball"). The sport quickly gained popularity among the British upper class.

The first tennis championships were held at Wimbledon in 1877, establishing what would become the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club created the standardized rules that formed the foundation of modern tennis. The original tournament featured only gentlemen's singles, with ladies' singles added in 1884.

The sport expanded internationally with the establishment of the other Grand Slam tournaments: the US Open (1881), French Open (1891), and Australian Open (1905). Professional tennis emerged in the 1920s, though the major tournaments remained amateur-only until the "Open Era" began in 1968, allowing professionals to compete in Grand Slam events. This revolutionary change transformed tennis into a major global sport.

Modern tennis has evolved with technological advances in racket design, court surfaces, and training methods. The sport now features a year-round professional tour with events worldwide, multi-million dollar prize money, and global television audiences. Tennis remains one of the most popular individual sports, played recreationally by millions and professionally by athletes from every continent.

Date: July 9-19, 1877
Location: All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, London
Champion: Spencer Gore (defeated William Marshall 6-1, 6-2, 6-4)

The inaugural Wimbledon Championships attracted 22 competitors and around 200 spectators who paid one shilling each to watch. The tournament was originally conceived to raise funds for repairing the club's pony roller. Spencer Gore, a 27-year-old rackets player, employed an aggressive net game to dominate the competition, winning all his matches in straight sets.

The championship was played on grass courts with a net height of 5 feet at the posts and 3 feet 3 inches at the center. Players served underhand, and the scoring system was already similar to today's format. This historic tournament established the traditions and prestige that would make Wimbledon the most revered tennis championship in the world.