October 2006 Science in Sports & Exercise

TENNISTENNIS

A Brief HistoryA Brief History

Early TennisEarly Tennis Tennis is said to have originated in 13Tennis is said to have originated in 13thth century French monasteries. century French monasteries.

Tennis – French Tennis – French teneztenez meaning “play”. meaning “play”.

A sheepskin ball filled with sand, sawdust or wool (non-bouncing) was hit A sheepskin ball filled with sand, sawdust or wool (non-bouncing) was hit with an open hand over a rope strung across the monastery courtyard.with an open hand over a rope strung across the monastery courtyard.

Playing with the hand Playing with the hand

evolved into playing with a gloveevolved into playing with a glove

glove with webbing between the fingersglove with webbing between the fingers

a solid paddlea solid paddle

eventually a sort of racquet was developed – a webbed glove with a handle. eventually a sort of racquet was developed – a webbed glove with a handle.

Balls still did not bounce.Balls still did not bounce.

By 1500 or so a wooden racquet frame strung with sheep’s gut was By 1500 or so a wooden racquet frame strung with sheep’s gut was generally used and balls were cork-cored.generally used and balls were cork-cored.

The game caught on with the royalty and became known as “real” or The game caught on with the royalty and became known as “real” or “royal” tennis and was called “royal” tennis and was called jeu de paumejeu de paume – game of the palm. – game of the palm.

Popularity of TennisPopularity of Tennis Royal tennis grew in popularity through the Royal tennis grew in popularity through the

centuries to the point where both the Pope and centuries to the point where both the Pope and King Louis IV attempted to ban it.King Louis IV attempted to ban it.

Spread to England early 16Spread to England early 16thth century, and both century, and both Henry VII and Henry VIII were “avid players, Henry VII and Henry VIII were “avid players, promoting the building of more courts.”promoting the building of more courts.”

The game’s popularity waned during the 1700’s The game’s popularity waned during the 1700’s because of the French Revolution, but enjoyed a because of the French Revolution, but enjoyed a resurgence following the conflictresurgence following the conflict

In 1850, with the invention of vulcanized rubber, In 1850, with the invention of vulcanized rubber, players began to try the game with the bouncy players began to try the game with the bouncy rubber balls on outdoor grass courts and a new rubber balls on outdoor grass courts and a new game was born.game was born.

Changing the GameChanging the Game

Modern tennis is credited to British Army Modern tennis is credited to British Army Major Walter Wingfield.Major Walter Wingfield. patented a portable equipment set, making patented a portable equipment set, making

tennis more accessible. tennis more accessible.

Lawn tennis caught on quickly in Great Lawn tennis caught on quickly in Great Britain and the first world championship Britain and the first world championship was played at Wimbledon in 1877.was played at Wimbledon in 1877.

1884 Wimbledon launched a women’s 1884 Wimbledon launched a women’s championship.championship.

Tennis Comes to the United StatesTennis Comes to the United States

Tennis came to the United States Tennis came to the United States around 1874, via a New Yorker, Mary around 1874, via a New Yorker, Mary Ewing Outerbridge, who was Ewing Outerbridge, who was introduced to the game by a friend of introduced to the game by a friend of Major Wingfield’s. Major Wingfield’s.

She helped establish the first US She helped establish the first US Open played in Newport RI in 1881-Open played in Newport RI in 1881-men only.men only. Women were allowed in 1887.Women were allowed in 1887.

Major TournamentsMajor Tournaments Wimbledon, Great BritainWimbledon, Great Britain

1877 men; 1884 women1877 men; 1884 women US OpenUS Open

1881 men; 1887 women1881 men; 1887 women French ChampionshipFrench Championship

1891 men; 1897 women; French citizens only 1891 men; 1897 women; French citizens only until 1925 when Tournament evolved into until 1925 when Tournament evolved into French OpenFrench Open

Australian OpenAustralian Open 19691969

Davis CupDavis Cup 19001900

Grand SlamGrand Slam

Four major championships are won in one Four major championships are won in one yearyear Wimbledon, French Open, US Open, Australian Wimbledon, French Open, US Open, Australian

OpenOpen American Don Budge was first winner 1838American Don Budge was first winner 1838 Most recently Stephi Graf won in 1988Most recently Stephi Graf won in 1988 Serena Williams won in 2002 & 2003Serena Williams won in 2002 & 2003

Modern TennisModern Tennis

Is played on a court of regulated size, Is played on a court of regulated size, in which two to four players attempt in which two to four players attempt to hit a ball, specifically designed for to hit a ball, specifically designed for the game, with racquets, also the game, with racquets, also specifically designed for the game, specifically designed for the game, over a net of regulation height, over a net of regulation height, placed in the center of the court.placed in the center of the court.

Required EquipmentRequired Equipment

Tennis court with netTennis court with net Tennis racquetTennis racquet Tennis ballTennis ball

Desirable EquipmentDesirable Equipment

Court shoesCourt shoes Cute little outfitCute little outfit

What they Used to WearWhat they Used to Wear

Early 1900’s

1800’s

1940’s

1920’s

What They Wear TodayWhat They Wear Today

Andre Agassi

Venus WilliamsSerena Williams

Dominik Hrbaty

The Aim of the GameThe Aim of the Game Players stand on opposite sides of a net and use a Players stand on opposite sides of a net and use a

stringed racket to hit a ball back and forth to each stringed racket to hit a ball back and forth to each other. other.

Each player has a maximum of one bounce after it Each player has a maximum of one bounce after it has been hit by their opponent to return the ball has been hit by their opponent to return the ball over the net and within the boundaries of the court. over the net and within the boundaries of the court.

Once a player fails to do any of these three things, Once a player fails to do any of these three things, their opponent wins a point. their opponent wins a point.

The aim is to win enough points to win a game, The aim is to win enough points to win a game, enough games to win a set and enough sets to win enough games to win a set and enough sets to win a match. a match.

Tennis ScoringTennis Scoring Tennis has an unusual scoring system. Tennis has an unusual scoring system. The first point in a game is called 15 and the next 30. So The first point in a game is called 15 and the next 30. So

you'd think that the next point should be 45 - but it isn't, it's you'd think that the next point should be 45 - but it isn't, it's 40. 40. Said to have originated from quarters of a clockSaid to have originated from quarters of a clock

And the score of a player who has not won any points is not And the score of a player who has not won any points is not 'nil' or 'zero', but 'love'.'nil' or 'zero', but 'love'. said to come from the French word said to come from the French word oeufoeuf, which means egg and , which means egg and

is shaped like a zero.is shaped like a zero. The server's score is always called first by the umpire. The server's score is always called first by the umpire. So if Player A is serving to Player B and Player B wins the So if Player A is serving to Player B and Player B wins the

point, the score is love-15. point, the score is love-15. If Player A wins the next point the score is 15-all, and so on If Player A wins the next point the score is 15-all, and so on

Competition and FunCompetition and Fun

Tennis today is played around the world by Tennis today is played around the world by professionals, amateurs, and recreational professionals, amateurs, and recreational enthusiasts.enthusiasts.

Championship games were first open only Championship games were first open only to male players but eventually opened to to male players but eventually opened to women as well.women as well.

First world tennis championship was held First world tennis championship was held in 1877 in Wimbledon, Great Britain. The in 1877 in Wimbledon, Great Britain. The Wimbledon Tournament is still played Wimbledon Tournament is still played today and is considered one of the most today and is considered one of the most prestigious tournaments in tennis. prestigious tournaments in tennis.

Influential PlayersInfluential Players The “Four Musketeers” – dominated game in late 1920’s and 30’s. The “Four Musketeers” – dominated game in late 1920’s and 30’s.

Unseated current American winners.Unseated current American winners. Jean BorotraJean Borotra Rene Lacoste (“the Alligator”)Rene Lacoste (“the Alligator”) Henri CochetHenri Cochet Jacques BrugnonJacques Brugnon

Rod LaverRod Laver For his use of topspinFor his use of topspin

Ivan LendlIvan Lendl Athleticism and fitnessAthleticism and fitness

Martina NavratilovaMartina Navratilova Athleticism and fitnessAthleticism and fitness Won most tournaments 167 singles; 162 doublesWon most tournaments 167 singles; 162 doubles

Chris EverettChris Everett 125 match winning streak125 match winning streak Two-handed backhandTwo-handed backhand