History of Tennis

Abstract

Tennis has gone through many developmental phases to reach its modernized state. It started as a ball and hand game that had little or no rules but now, it has advanced to a sport that is internationally renowned with a number of rules and regulations to be followed by its players and other related people. The sport journeyed crossing the boundaries of different countries and gaining name. It started as a grass sport being played in outdoors, which has taken a well established form played in outdoors as well as indoors. This paper evaluates the historical development of tennis along with its increasing worldwide appeal for the spectators.

History of Tennis

Introduction

Sports all over the world are originated with some diversified historical backgrounds. No sport initiated as we can witness it today. Tennis that is worldwide famous also originated with a different form and has reached its present form after many innovations and transformations. Tennis can be traced back to the twelfth century as its pioneers started it as a game to be played with hand and ball; a glove also accompanied the players in hitting the ball after some change (McNicolle, 2008; Seavey, 2000). Tennis, which can see today, is quite transformed, and its players enjoy international recognition. This paper evaluates the historical development of tennis along with its increasing worldwide appeal for the spectators.

Tennis stands as a globally recognized sport that has a rich history. With the passage of time, the game witnessed many changes. From the very start, the game was regarded suitable for men as well as for women because of its easy learning and practicing. The famous players of the sport are the oldest most players of any sport. It has two players or four players (set of twos) who play with one another standing on opposite sides. Players can play as singles on either sides or doubles on either sides of the net. They have rackets for hitting the ball through the central net according to a set of rules that they have to follow in order to win matches. Initially, it started as an outdoor game but nowadays, it is played indoors as well as outdoors (Rowles, 2007).

At its start, it was formed as a grass game as the court required for Tennis was grassy but nowadays, there are clay courts, hard courts along with the previously settled grass courts. There are many rules and regulations involved in playing, and the players have to adhere to them to play successfully. The sport has gone through a whole history of development that has made it interesting for its followers.

Discussion

Real Tennis

Real Tennis is the Tennis that started off in the twelfth century in France as an outdoor ball and hand game. Due to its playing with hand, it was also termed as handball or “Palla” and many other games took their origin from the game of real Tennis (Hung & Pallis, 2004). After some time, a glove was used to be put on hand as a ...