| Tennis has a long-standing history steeped in tradition. | | | | bounce off of, the game was quickly taken outside |
| Yet, there are two main events that seemed to set | | | | where people could enjoy it in the fresh air and |
| the sport apart from any other in the hearts and minds | | | | sunshine. New rules were quickly introduced to |
| of those who enjoy watching and playing it. | | | | compensate for changes in the speed and style of the |
| One was the invention-vulcanized rubber that allowed | | | | game on these new lawn courts. |
| real tennis to take the lead from lawn tennis - a | | | | Walter Clopton Wingfield is considered the father of |
| popular gentleman's sport of the 18th century. | | | | modern tennis, or lawn tennis, having patented the |
| The other was the match between female tennis star | | | | game in 1874 with the United States Patent Office, |
| Billie Jean King and her male counterpart, Bobby Riggs. | | | | although many claim that others actually introduced the |
| Her wondrous victory over Riggs gave female tennis | | | | game to the masses, with Wingfield taking formal |
| stars the respect they had long sought. | | | | credit. |
| Vulcanized Rubber: | | | | It didn't take long for tennis to become a popular hit. |
| Until vulcanized rubber allowed tennis balls to be made | | | | Tennis clubs soon opened, followed by the first tennis |
| in the 1850's for the outdoor play we enjoy today, | | | | championships in 1877 at Wimbledon |
| most tennis matches were enjoyed on indoor courts. | | | | Billie Jean King versus Bobby Riggs: |
| Much like today's racquetball, "real tennis" as it was | | | | When Billie Jean King defeated of Bobby Riggs in 1973 |
| known uses the angled walls of a real tennis court to | | | | tennis for women changed forever! True, women has |
| strategically hit and return the ball to their opponents. | | | | been playing for years, and making money at it, but |
| Tennis as we know it today was first called "lawn | | | | until King's upset over Riggs, women couldn't make |
| tennis," and made its debut among the higher classes in | | | | near the financial gains as men in the field. With her |
| the mid 1800's, as way for courting couples to enjoy a | | | | victory came a newfound respect for female players |
| real sport without distressing the ladies. | | | | - and handsome playing prizes. Most of today's female |
| After Charles Goodyear, of Goodyear tire fame, | | | | players credit King with having paved the way for their |
| invented vulcanized rubber, rubber tennis balls were | | | | own success. |
| introduced in play instead of the wads of wool, hair, | | | | The game of tennis may have changed since its |
| wool, or cork wrapped in leather or string and cloth | | | | introduction in the 1800's, but even today it remains a |
| that had been previously used. | | | | favorite pastime of young and old alike. |
| Since these new rubber balls didn't need a wall to | | | | |