The game of tennis is steeped in history and enjoyed by people of all ages and nationalities. Over the centuries, it has evolved into a fiercely competitive sport that requires both physical agility and strong mental focus. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just getting started with tennis instruction, you’ll be interested to learn how the game began and came to be so popular. Here’s a brief overview of its inception.

The Origins & Evolution of Tennis

Early Beginnings

While there’s some debate over the true origins of tennis, most believe its beginnings occurred in France during the 12th century. At this time, players would strike the ball with the palm of their hand. Monks were the first to play this early version of the game, hitting the ball against walls or over a rope in monastery courtyards. As it continued to gain notoriety, the sport spread to other European countries, where it eventually became known as tennis and was moved indoors to be played on large, narrow courts.

An Introduction to Lawn Tennis

During the 1800s, the game was brought back outdoors, and lawn tennis was introduced using rackets and rubber balls on an hourglass-shaped court. This set the framework for modern tennis, and courts started being built in countries such as Russia, Canada, and the United States.

Championship Tournaments & the Olympics

In 1877, the first Wimbledon championship tennis tournament took place at the All England Club Croquet. This was when the court was officially changed to a rectangular shape. With all the interest in tennis instruction from people around the world, competitions began emerging globally. The first U.S. Open was held in 1881 in Rhode Island, women began competing at Wimbledon in 1884, the French Open dates back to 1891, and the Australian Open was first played in 1905. Tennis was part of the Olympics held in Athens in 1896 but was removed from the program in the 1920s. It didn’t officially return until the 1988 Olympic Games.

If you’re looking to start playing tennis or sharpen your tennis skills, there’s no better place to do so than at LifeSport Athletic Club – Libertyville. They offer junior and adult tennis instruction for players at all levels. Since 1973, they’ve proudly provided Lake County, IL, residents with a state-of-the-art fitness facility and quality instructors dedicated to developing elite athletes. Call (847) 362-5553 to discuss membership options, or visit them online for more information about their tennis instruction programs.