Royal Tapada Club (1907)National Sports Museum - IPDJ
How it all began – the English
Tennis arrived in Portugal in the 19th century through the English community in Porto, which was linked to wine. The first reference to lawn tennis dates back to 1874, and in 1877, it was introduced at the Oporto Cricket & Lawn Tennis Club, then restricted to English players.
Tennis Game - Quinta Nova, CarcavelosNational Sports Museum - IPDJ
In the Lisbon region, tennis was introduced by the English personnel of the submarine cable company based in Carcavelos. The English also played cricket, but they failed to captivate the Portuguese.
The forerunners of national tennis (1935) by Tennis e Golf nº. 5, 5-1935National Sports Museum - IPDJ
Initially, tennis was a privilege of the aristocracy and a wonderful opportunity for the wealthiest families to gather for private parties. Around 1900, the royal family spent the summer in Cascais.
King Luís sponsored the founding, in 1879, of the famous Sporting Clube de Cascais.
The precursors of national tennis (1935) by Tennis e Golf n.º 5, 5-1935National Sports Museum - IPDJ
Guilherme Pinto Basto, the facilitator
The advancement of tennis would not have been possible without this figure, who studied in England. He was also the general secretary of Sporting Clube de Cascais. He was a personal friend of D. Carlos, whom he taught the basics of the game.
King Carlos playing tennis (1935) by Tennis e Golf n.º 5, 5-1935National Sports Museum - IPDJ
King Charles I played regularly and participated in doubles in the international tournament in Portugal.
Lawn Tennis Court in ParedeNational Sports Museum - IPDJ
Enthusiasm for the new “sport” – 1900-1910
With the growing popularity of lawn tennis around 1900-1910, many clubs were formed, mainly in the Lisbon and Porto region.
Private tennis courts were also built throughout the country, from south to north, to the Azores and Madeira.
Tennis game at Mata da Misericordia - Figueira da FozNational Sports Museum - IPDJ
The International Lawn Tennis Federation was created in 1913.
Lisbon Lawn Tennis Group (1905) by Tiro e Sport, n.º 304 de 15-04-1905National Sports Museum - IPDJ
The first championships
Sporting Clube de Cascais pioneered the championships. In 1902, the first Portuguese International Championship was held, featuring 12 clubs from Lisbon and Porto. Held annually until 1973 (except 1910), it boosted tennis in the country.
The first Inter-club Championships were launched in 1909, as was the D. Manuel II Cup in the North of the country. An unofficial Lisbon-Porto match took place in 1913, which became an official annual event from 1926 onwards.
At that time, tournaments were still a frequent excuse for a party or a five o'clock tea, where members and guests, including many ladies, would gather.
Learning rules and techniques
The first rules of the game published in Portugal appear to date from 1899. The first technical books guiding players' progress were imported from England or France. Without qualified teachers, progress was slow.
In 1927, Vasco Galvão (1895-1966) was sent to London by the Portuguese Lawn Tennis Federation, and in 1928 he began his professional career as a tennis teacher. He founded the first tennis school and trained nearly all of Portugal's top tennis players.
The glamour of the 1920s
The fall of the monarchy and World War I brought difficulties to tennis. In the 1920s, it remained popular among the elite, but its social appeal coexisted with competitive and international opportunities, accessible only to those with financial means.
João Vila Franca and José de Verda were firm and secure figures, as was Angélica Plantier. Luís Ricciardi and António Casanovas were the first Portuguese tennis players to participate in Wimbledon, in 1922. French diva Suzanne Lenglen played in Cascais in 1923. Rodrigo Castro Pereira was the first to represent Portugal in tennis at the Olympic Games, in Paris in 1924.
As tennis became increasingly popular, it was time to create a governing body that could bring together players and coaches and oversee the rules and regulations.
The Portuguese Lawn Tennis Federation
It was founded in 1925, with eleven founding member clubs. Guilherme Pinto Basto was chosen as its president.
1927 Davis Cup (1927)National Sports Museum - IPDJ
The Davis Cup
Beginning in 1902, the Cascais International Championships contributed significantly to the promotion of tennis. In the 1920s, encouraged by foreign players, it was natural for some to want to go further and participate in international competitions, such as the Davis Cup.
The creation of the Portuguese Lawn Tennis Federation in 1925 made this possible. Portugal debuted in the Davis Cup in 1925 but, discouraged and also for financial reasons, suspended participation in 1928.
In 1963, participation resumed, also marking Portugal's first World Cup victory. This helped change mindsets, notably with the creation of a Training Center at the National Stadium in 1965.
Davis Cup (1963)National Sports Museum - IPDJ
Figueira da Foz - Fort and Tennis Club (1937)National Sports Museum - IPDJ
1930s
Tennis events and tournaments in the 1930s were mainly concentrated in the main tourist resorts such as Curia, Luso and Figueira da Foz in central Portugal.
Estoril (Costa do Sol) - Tennis (7 courts)National Sports Museum - IPDJ
Estoril, due to its excellent location, has become a prime location for hosting major international competitions. However, tennis has also flourished in the north.
After the Federation's impetus, tennis began to slow down in the mid-1930s. Contact with foreign players was limited to the International Championships in Portugal and was insufficient to keep pace with the developments taking place in many countries.
Continue the visit
The visit to the first part of the exhibition dedicated to the History of Tennis in Portugal: from 1875 to the 1930s has concluded.
Visit the next part.
Part 2: History of Tennis in Portugal: from 1930 to 2019
Content based on the original exhibition at the National Sports Museum - MND (2019) "History of Tennis in Portugal from 1875 to 2019"
Coordination of the original exhibition project at the National Sports Museum (Foz Palace) from 2019 to 2021:
National Sports Museum - IPDJ
Portuguese Tennis Federation
Curated by:
National Sports Museum - IPDJ
Norberto Santos
Digital version: IPDJ/MND, 2025
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