| Tennis is a sport that has been round for hundreds of | | | | for tennis. |
| years. It is believed that the game was invented by | | | | Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament, was first held |
| European monks. The racquets and ball used in playing | | | | in 1877. The courts used in Wimbledon then were |
| the game were of different types. The game was | | | | slightly different from the courts in play today. Though, |
| extremely popular amongst the monks in the | | | | the rules were generally the same as today. |
| monasteries in Europe. Though, there was a point | | | | The 1930s saw tennis being evolved into a chic sport |
| when the church was contemplating on banning the | | | | with outfits specially designed for tennis being |
| game. | | | | introduced. These outfits were different from the ones |
| However, it was Major Walter C Wingfield who | | | | players wear today. Tennis outfits in those days were |
| patented the tennis equipment and the rules for the | | | | long and constricting. Shorts made an appearance in |
| game. These rules were quite similar to the rules of | | | | tennis in 1933 with Bunny Austin who was the first |
| today's tennis. These patenting took place in the same | | | | tennis player to wear one. |
| year when tennis courts started appearing in the | | | | This sport has gained a lot of popularity across the |
| United States. Within a short span of one year, tennis | | | | globe. The popularity is so much that in 1986, the tennis |
| equipment started making an appearance in other | | | | association was force to introduce yellow balls to |
| countries outside the US. | | | | ensure that viewers sitting at home watching a tennis |
| This was the time when croquet was the most | | | | match could spot it easily on television. That is the |
| popular game. In order to play tennis, people started | | | | power of tennis! |
| making use of croquet courts. They set up the courts | | | | |