Figure 1.--This French boys is serving as a ball boy at a preofessional tennis match. These positions are sought after to give the boys the opportunity to watch and meet professional tennis players. The tennis clubs which sponsor them often have special uniforms for the ball boys. |
Tennis usually is applied to the sort of lawn tennis, but there is also court or royal tennis--a much different game. Tennis is usually played outdoors with a racket and ball by two (singles) or four players (doubles) on a court of turf or hard surface such as clay or now commonly paved surface. The modern game of lawn tennis was invented in England during 1873 by Major Walter C. Wingfield, a British Army Officer, for use at garden parties. Major Winfoeld claimed that he modeled the game, which he called "spharistike," after an aincient Greek game. Authorities now believe that he simply adapted to outdoor play the principles of the widely popular came of court tennis.
While the game of tennis is the same everywhere, the name given to the game differs around the world. The actual name of tennis originates from the latin verb "teneo" (I fetch) and initially gave the old english word "Tenetz" that was then modified into
"Tynes" then "Tenyse" to finally give the actual name of tennis.
Many different terms and in fact differentb games have appeared around the world.
In Australia it is called Royal Tennis. The various names provide insights on the development of the game.
in France it is called "Jeu de Paume" (hand ball).
In fact in France tennis is called... tennis and playground is called ...court. The name "Jeu de paume" (game with inner part of hand/hand ball) is the the one of the very initial game around year 1280 that was very popular in France: one could count more than 1,300 playgrounds
at that time. It is undoubtedly the ancestor of tennis.
The most famous of these playground still exists in Paris, being
now a museum "Musée du Jeu de Paume" in which also was made
the Serment du Jeu de Paume in year 1789 by which the deputees
had to swear not to leave before having given a constitution to France. From this game are also derived the "Pelote basque" and "Pilota Valenciana" as well as the "Palla toscana" or the dutch "Kaatsen", all these having quite different rules.
In the United Kinddom it is called Tennis or, to distinguish it from Lawn Tennis, Real Tennis or Royal Tennis.
In the United States it is called Court Tennis.
Tennis originated in France before the 12th century. In fact many different games have developed from early ball and court games. The whole appearance of a tennis court is influenced by its origins. The first courts were to be found in courtyards immediately adjacent to a castle or in cloistered monastery quadrangles. Originally the players played with their hands (jeu de paume). Later they used gloves, then short bats to hit the ball. The game became very popular and in the 13th century it is said that there were as many as 1,800 courts in France.
In Britain, as in France, royal patronage ensured the continued popularity of the game. French Kings in the 16th century and Englis Stuart Kings in the 17th century were enthusiastic players. George IV (1763-1830), Prince Albert (1819-61)--there is a locker in the changing room at Hampton Court Palace which still bears his name. Edward VII (1842-1910) and George V (1866-1936) all supported the game.
Tennis usually is applied to the sort of lawn tennis, but there is also court or royal tennis--a much different game. Tennis is usually played outdoors with a racket and ball by two (singles) or four players (doubles) on a court of turf or hard surface such as clay or now commonly paved surface. In addition, there are a wide variety of related court games, both with and without racquets.
Badminton is named after the seat of the Dukes Beaufort in the south of Gloucestershire. HBC had thought it was a French court game. We do not at this time fully understand the historical background. There are many similarities with tennis, but it is played with a shuttlecock rather than a ball and this does not require such a formal court. It was at the thirn of the 20th century a popular game that both genders could play socially. It is now prinmarily a gym class activity in most countries.
The precursors to tennis were played without a racquet. Such a sport is still played today, hand ball. It is, however, mor e of an adult game than one played in schools.
Tnis tennis-like game was played in the Netherlands.
As the name suggests, this game is played in Spain's Basque country.
HBC know noting about this game, but is apparently played in Valencia.
HBC has noted widely varying accounts concerning the origins of paddle tennis or ping-pong. One source suggests that the
origins date back to 12th century, but they may well be referring to the origins of tennis itself. A better documented event was
Frank Peer Beale's efforts in 1898 to help children learn to play tennis. He brought the game to New York in the early 1920s.
In 1959 Murray Geller revised the rules, where it evolved into the modern game of Paddle Tennis that is played today.
The modern game of lawn tennis was invented in England during 1873 by Major Walter C. Wingfield, a British Army Officer, for use at garden parties. Major Winfoeld claimed that he modeled the game, which he called "spharistike," after an aincient Greek game. Authorities now believe that he simply adapted to outdoor play the principles of the widely popular came of court tennis.
Tennis for many years had an image as a country club sport. Children learned to play tennis at their country club. This was a sport that was tauhht at private schools, but less commonly at public schools. An example is an Indiana private school during 1924. Thus did not change until after World War II.
Boys and now girls serve as a ball boys and girls at a preofessional tennis match. These positions are sought after to give the youth the opportunity to watch and meet professional tennis players. The tennis clubs which sponsor them often have special uniforms for the ball boys.
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