Tennis is one of the most loved sports worldwide, and its story goes back centuries! 🌍✨

🏰 Medieval Beginnings

The roots of tennis trace back to 12th-century France, where a game called jeu de paume (“game of the palm”) was played. Players hit a ball with their hands instead of rackets. The word “tennis” comes from the French term tenez meaning “take” or “receive,” which players shouted before serving. 📣

🎾 Rise of Real Tennis

By the 16th century, rackets were introduced, and the game evolved into real tennis or royal tennis. 👑 It became a favorite among European nobility—King Henry VIII even had a court built at Hampton Court Palace! 🏛️

🌱 Birth of Lawn Tennis

The modern version, lawn tennis, appeared in Victorian England during the 19th century. Major Walter Clopton Wingfield patented a game called Sphairistiké in 1874, which looked very similar to today’s tennis. 🏡🎾 His version featured a rectangular court, a net, and simplified scoring rules.

🏆 Wimbledon and Beyond

The first Wimbledon Championship was held in 1877, introducing standardized rules like the scoring system (15-30-40) and net height. This event marked the start of tennis as a competitive sport. 🏅

🌍 Global Expansion

Over time, tennis spread worldwide, leading to the Open Era in 1968, which allowed amateurs and professionals to compete together. Today, tennis shines through four major Grand Slam tournaments:
Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open etc