Tennis is a sport played between two players (singles) or between two teams of two players each (doubles). Each player uses a strung racquet to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt (most of the time Optic Yellow,[1] but can be any color or even two-tone) over a net into the opponent's court.
The modern game of tennis originated in the United Kingdom in the late 19th century as "lawn tennis" and had heavy connections to the ancient game of real tennis. After its creation, tennis spread throughout the upper-class English-speaking population before spreading around the world. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all ages. The sport can be played by anyone who can hold a racket, including people in wheelchairs. In the United States, there is a collegiate circuit organized by the National Collegiate Athletics Association.
* HISTORY OF TENNIS
* The earliest version of the game was known as 'La Soule' where players would hit a ball to each other using either their hands or a stick.
* In 16th, 17th and 18th centuries the game became the highly fashionable sport of kings and noblemen and was called ' Jeu de paumme' - the game of the palm.
* Wimbledon Championship was one of the most significant developments in the history of tennis. The first championships at Wimbledon (London) were played in 1877.
* William Renshaw has won the championship title 8 times between 1881 and 1889 (he was runner-up in 1887) - a record that remains unbeaten till today.
* The development of tennis continued and the 1927 Championship saw the first ever radio braodcast of a tennis event.
* Bunny Austin from the USA shocked the crowds in the year 1933 when he became the first player to step out on to centre court wearing shorts.
* TYPES OF TENNIS COURTS
* Clay court - (green clay, mainly in the U.S. and red clay)
* Grass court
* Hardcourt - (cement, rebound ace, coated ashphalt)
* Indoor (most commonly wood, cement, or carpet)
* TENNIS COURT
* Rectangular, flat surface, usually grass, clay, or a hardcourt of concrete and/or asphalt.
* 78 feet (23.77 m) long and 27 feet (8.23 m) wide for singles.
* 78 feet (23.77 m) long 36 feet (10.97 m) wide for doubles matches.
* Net is 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m) high at the posts and 3 feet (914 mm) high in the center.
