Modern lawn tennis grew out of real tennis, an indoor game played in European courts from the Middle Ages. In 1874 Major Walter Clopton Wingfield patented an outdoor version, and in 1877 the first Wimbledon Championship was held, setting many of the rules still used today.
Key dates
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 12th to 16th century | Jeu de paume and real tennis played in France and England |
| 1874 | Wingfield patents an outdoor lawn tennis game |
| 1877 | First Wimbledon Championship |
| 1881 | First US national championship (now the US Open) |
| 1891 | First French championships (now Roland-Garros) |
| 1905 | First Australasian championships (now the Australian Open) |
| 1968 | Open Era begins: professionals and amateurs compete together |
| 1970s | Tiebreaks and the women’s WTA tour arrive |
How the game changed
- Wooden racquets gave way to metal and then graphite in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Yellow balls replaced white for better TV visibility.
- Electronic line calling is now widely used on the tours.
- Tennis returned to the Olympics as a full medal sport in 1988.
- Grand Slam final sets now end with a 10-point tiebreak at 6-6.
Frequently asked questions
Where did tennis originate?
In medieval France, as a hand-ball game called jeu de paume, before racquets were introduced.
What is the oldest tennis tournament?
Wimbledon, first held in 1877.
Why is the scoring 15, 30, 40?
The origin is uncertain; one theory links it to a clock face, with 45 later shortened to 40.
