(Not) All About Tennis

“No one person can fairly claim to have ‘invented’ the game of lawn tennis. It was really a break-away from the two older games of real tennis and rackets…”
Brigadier J.G. Smyth in the British Sports: Past & Present: Lawn Tennis, 1953

Wingfield patented the game in Great Britain in 1874 after others had previously combined sports like court tennis and rackets to play a game similar to what Wingfield called Sphairistiké. Wingfield’s patent expired in 1877, allowing the game to further evolve.

This extremely rare lawn tennis set, made by Jefferies & Co. of Woolwich, England, is remarkably complete and was manufactured shortly after the first appearance of the Sphairistiké lawn tennis sets patented by Wingfield in 1874. 

“[Tennis’] precise origins remain shrouded in conjecture, contrasting notions and theories, and lack of documentation despite the diligent delving of historians.” –Bud Collins, The Bud Collins History of Tennis Encyclopedia, 2008

This type of game was known as jeu de paume in France, and is thought to be the predecessor of many modern racquet sports, including lawn tennis.

By the 16^th century, the various hand and racquet games had evolved into court tennis, also known as real or royal tennis. The most notable difference between this sport and lawn tennis is that the court is bound by walls, off which the ball is played.

Lawn tennis quickly spread throughout the world after the patent-holder Wingfield offered all the equipment and instruction needed for his game in a box set. It was this convenience that sparked the popularity of lawn tennis in the late 19th century.

The game also provided a rare opportunity for men and women to socialize in a sporting environment. Innovations in technology helped improve the game for casual players and tournament mainstays. 

The first Wimbledon Championships took place in 1877 at the renamed All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club. Straying from the rules of Major Walter Clopton Wingfield, the first tournament implemented a modern rectangular court, and the sport was forever changed.

Early American tennis tournaments took place throughout the country, mainly on the east coast.  The tournament circuit allowed for early champions to emerge from the crowd. Depicted here is the 1885 U.S. National Men’s Singles Championships at the Newport Casino.

Following World War I, tennis entered its Golden Age; a period marked by more tournaments, the rise of the athlete celebrity personality, and increased media attention. The onset of war affected all aspects of tennis. In some instances, tournaments were canceled or suspended.

The scarcity of male players throughout World War II provided female tennis players with greater exposure, which they continued to enjoy in the 1950s. Unlike the situation for women abroad, American female players suffered little interruption throughout the war years.

The USLTA continued to hold tournaments, exhibition matches, and fundraisers. The women drew unprecedented attention at the U.S. National Championships. When the war was over, the American women were prepared to compete for attention with their male counterparts.

As tennis became more popular in the mid-20th century, fashion became an important aspect of the game. Fashion played a significant role in helping the public identify with certain players.

Tennis has witnessed its largest period of sustained growth and success in the Open Era, which began in 1968. 1968 was a pivotal year for the game of tennis, ushering in the Open Era after decades of amateur and professional tennis co-existing as separate sports.

The majors and the tournament circuit welcomed professionals into their competitions. This change forever altered the landscape of the game. In the ensuing decades, the sport has witnessed unprecedented growth in popularity, sponsorship, prize money, and television coverage.

Tennis has become one of the world’s biggest and most popular sports, played throughout the world on all levels.