History of tennis
the history of tennis is very rich
in anecdotes. Amusing, strange and sometimes tragic, they
often marked the play. This new heading aims thus to gather
and to tell you these "small stories of tennis"...
TENNIS
Tennis is a complex sport which
requires a lot of physical effort and concentration. This
site proposes to introduce you a little in the world of
tennis with its very known current events and its players
History
The origins of Tennis. Play of palm: ancestor of tennis
"tennis, the badminton, the squash, the Basque ball
have as an ancestor the Play of Palm. The Play of Palm was
invented in France in the XIIIth century (even if some historians
could find alternatives of the Play of palm since Antiquity).
With the passing of the centuries, the Play of Palm knew
various forms. For a long time, one played either with the
hands, or with gloves. Then the wooden beaters made their
appearance but they remained rudimentary. It is only with
the XVIth century that one created the first racket equipped
with a length handle and with a rope in bowels of sheep.
The Play of Palm was spread not only in France but also
in the rest of the world. Mary Ewing Outerbrige imported
it to the United States in 1876 under the name of Court
tennis. In Australia, one called it Royal Tennis or Real
Tennis. It arrived to Germany, to Italy, to Spain,..
. Today, only nine countries have the gaming rooms of Palm.
The play of Palm also lands in England in XVIth century
under the name of Court Tennis. (Into English, the Play
of Palm results in Court Tennis. It should be noted that
the term "tennis" comes from "tennetz",
word launched at the time of the setting of the ball in
the play of Palm). Initially, the English play it with rackets.
About 1850, the English invented the game of rackets. This
new play is played by several players against a wall with
rackets and a rebounding ball out of leather. The match
is gained in 15 points. In the event of equality with 13,
one finishes with three or five points of gap..
Officially the invention of tennis is allocated to Major
Wingfield although in 1858, Major Harry Gem,a clerk in the
Court of Justice of Birmingham, already arranged a ground
on the lawn of his property with Edgbaston
"the invention" of major Wingfield is sold in
the form of a box including:
1. Four light rackets of Palm.
2. A net with its stakes.
3. . Bands to trace the ground.
Modern tennis and its revolution
of 1968
From 1900, each country organizes national and international
tournaments. The Davis cup created in 1900 by Dwight Davis
will be popularized and become the greatest competition
by team of the world. From1896 to 1924, the Lawn-tennis
will be present at the Olympic Games. The Twenties are perhaps
the most beautiful pages of the history of world tennis.
In 1925, the championship of France becomes international.
It is the birth of Roland Garros. The greatest tournament
of beaten- ground. At the same period, Wimbledon and the
international ones of Australia move. The Twenties are also
the period of the reign of French on world tennis. With
the Musketeers (Jean Borotra, Henri Cockerel, Rene Lacoste,
"Louse" Nectarine) and Suzanne Lenglen, French
tennis, during 6 years, is practically victorious of all
the tournaments of the large slam (Grand Chelem) and the
Davis cup. The French domination ends in 1932 with a last
Cockerel victory in Roland Garros. The Thirties are dominated
by the Americans with Helen Wills, Donald Budge and Fred
ferry. The Second World War stops tennis during 5 years.
It is necessary to wait the Fifties and Sixties to see an
evolutionary and explosive tennis again. The Australians
will dominate tennis. Thanks to a trainer named Harry Hopman,
the champions follow one another: Roy Emerson, Rod Laver,
Fred Stolle, the " wizard twins ": Ken Rosewall
and Lewis Hoad. As for women, it is the Australian Margarette
Smith Court who dominates female tennis. It should be noted
that this champion will be at the origin of a better recognition
of the players by the organizers of the tournaments in the
years 60-70. Nevertheless, great champions do not pass unperceived
during this period. It is the case of Arthur Ashe, first
black American to gain a tournament of the large slam(Grand
Chelem), of the American Maureen Connolly and of the Frenchwoman
Francoise Dürr, champion at Roland Garros in 1967.
In
1968, world tennis will know its revolution. Since the organization
of the first tournaments in 1877, only the amateurs could
take part in the various tennis tournaments (the professionals
were prohibited of participation). With the passing of years,
the champions and the champions(female) of tennis passed
professional, in order to play the sponsored matches of
demonstration. These rounds made it possible to gain several
thousands of dollars, whereas the competitions did not offer
anything. Thus, tennis "lost" its players. In
1981, Bjorn Borg goes away. Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg,
inspired by the play of their elder Borg, will take over
and become the Swedish champions of this period. But, the
American John McEnroe, the German Boris Becker and the Czech
Ivan Lendl dominate also world tennis. As for the female
circuit, the domination is always American with Navratilova
and Evert Lloyd. But a new German player makes her appearance:
Steffi Graf. In 1988, tennis returns, 
after
64 years of absence, to the Olympic Games of Seoul. The
Nineties see the arrival of American Pete Sampras. Surely
the great champion of tennis of all times. Until 2000, he
dominates world tennis and offers an explosive tennis. Nobody
can stop him except for some great champions like Andre
Agassi or Jim Courrier. As for women, supremacy belongs
Steffi Graf, Monica Seles (American) and the Spanish Arantxa
Sanchez. Since 1998, female tennis witnessed a real expansion.
Thanks to a younger generation, female tennis from now on
left its reputation of "tedious play
This new generation which dominates the circuit of WTA is
called: the Swiss woman Martina Hingis, the sisters Williams
(the United States), Lindsay Davenport (United States),...
As for male tennis, it is dominated, since 2000, by Brazilian
Gustavo Kuerten, the Russian Marat Safin, American Andre
Agassi, Australian Lleyton Hewitt and by young French (Arnaud
Clément, Sebastien Grosjean...).
Playing field
Building his tennis playing field
Here are some considerations which it is wise to consider
before undertaking the construction of courts of tennis.
The minimal measurements are:17,07 m X 34,77 m, with a minimum
retreat of 5,50 m behind every line of court bottom, and
nd a minimum clearing of3,05 m on the sides.
The advisable measurements are: 18 m X 36 m, with a retreat
of approximately 6,10 m behind every line of court bottom,
and a clearing of approximately 3,50 m on the sides. In
the choice of the site, it is necessary to take into account
space for the possible construction of additional courts.
To choose if possible a place that is naturally at a shelter
from the wind.
To envisage a space necessary for the room of a coordinator,
monitor or personnel of maintenance, as well as for the
arrangement of the material of maintenance.
To check that the quality of the ground (until a depth of
at least six feet) is adequate for the construction of courts
of tennis.
