Tennis

Tennis has a rich history that dates back centuries. Here's a brief overview of how the sport evolved:

Origins (12th - 16th Century)

Tennis traces its roots to 12th-century France, where it was played as "jeu de paume" (game of the palm).

Players used their hands to hit a ball back and forth.

By the 16th century, rackets were introduced, and the game became known as "real tennis",
played mostly indoors by European nobility.

Birth of Modern Tennis (19th Century)

In 1873, British army officer Major Walter Clopton Wingfield created a version of lawn tennis,
which resembled today’s game. He called it "Sphairistikè", but the name didn’t last.

By 1877, the first Wimbledon tournament was held, marking the beginning of organized competitive tennis.

Expansion & Grand Slams (20th Century)

The four major tennis tournaments (Grand Slams) were established:

Wimbledon (1877)

US Open (1881)

French Open (1891)

Australian Open (1905)

In 1926, the first professional tennis tour was created, separating amateurs from professionals.

Open Era (1968 - Present)

The Open Era began in 1968, allowing professional and amateur players to compete
in the same tournaments.

This significantly increased the sport's popularity.

Players like Rod Laver, Björn Borg, Steffi Graf, Serena Williams,
Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic have shaped modern tennis.

Modern Developments

Technology has transformed tennis with innovations like Hawk-Eye for line calls
and advanced racket materials.

Tennis remains one of the most popular global sports, with millions playing and watching worldwide.