Tennis Training (1966-05-03)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
No designation of origin
Tennis does not belong to any country. It has been said to come from England or France, even from ancient Rome or Greece.
Noble roots
In 1873, Britain's Walter Clopton Wingfield formalized the sport, which the first players called 'lawn tennis'. It became known as the 'white sport', as it was only played in elite social circles and the attire was 90% white.
Tennis in the Olympic Pool, Marcelo Lara vs Ball's (1978-01-31)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Mexican-tinged sport
By 1874, tennis had arrived in Mexico through a group of Englishmen established in the State of Hidalgo, who, led by Pierce Clifford and Theodore Patterson, opened the first court for playing in Real del Monte.
Tennis S. Club (1984-04-30)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Cradle of tennis in Mexico
At the start of the 20th century, with the rise of European colonies in Mexico, the first formal tennis club was created. This space, named 'Reforma', was inaugurated in Mexico City on February 5, 1905 thanks to a concession by President Porfirio Díaz.
Tennis (1945)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Growing sport
By the 1920s, tennis had gained popularity among Mexican families, who frequented the clubs to play the sport.
The legend of the Tapias
The 'Tapia' family was one of the most outstanding in national tennis, including Ricardo 'El Gato' Tapia and his sister María 'La Chata' Tapia, who from the 1930s was the youngest national champion and triple Central American medalist.
Tennis (1960)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Rules of the game
Tennis is played on a 23 x 8 m court for singles and 23 x 11 m for doubles, divided by a net suspended between two posts. In a match, you have to win points, games, and sets.
Tennis (1965)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Precise measurements
Tennis, a game of precision, requires a ball 6.35 cm in diameter, which is now yellow for better visibility. The all-important racket measures 60 to 70 cm and weighs up to 400 g. It has evolved over time, from wood to graphite.
Colima athletes who are fond of frontenis (1938-11-12)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Evolving sport
In Mexico in the first decades of the 20th century, tennis was played in different spaces and ways. One of these was frontenis, played on a fronton (court) with high walls.
Tennis (1935)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
The rise of Mexican tennis
The 1940s were decisive for tennis in Mexico to achieve a boom. In 1948 the Pan-American Tournament took place, where figures like Armando Vega emerged. He and his brothers were the first Mexicans to triumph in an international tournament.
Tennis (1950)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Legacy of the champions
In the 1950s, Francisco Contreras and Joaquín Reyes, students from the University of Southern California, were crowned intercollegiate champions. Then, together with their coach George Toley who was nicknamed 'The Father of Mexican Tennis', they forged a prominent league.
Tennis (1935)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Successes and defeats
George Toley took Mexican tennis to the big leagues, as Mexico reached the semifinals against India in the 1962 Davis Cup. It is believed that the arrival of President Adolfo López Mateos at the match was bad luck, as they were defeated that day.
Raúl Ramírez Party (1975-05-02)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Legend of doubles tennis
Raúl Ramírez Lozano represented a milestone in tennis, dominating in doubles by 1976, with 19 individual titles and 60 as a pair. He celebrated victories in Rome, Washington, and at the legendary Wimbledon. He was also runner-up at Roland-Garros (French Open) in 1975 and 1977.
Tennis (1950)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
From Mexico to the world
Mexico has given the world great tennis players who have reached the most important tournaments such as Wimbledon and Roland-Garros. The Mexican Open is currently one of the most important events in the world of tennis.
This story was created with information and support from Instituto Nacional de Estudios Históricos de las Revoluciones de México.
