History of Tennis and the Events that Changed its Course Articles | Tennis

By: Guy Starbuck

Tennis is a traditional game which has been played for many years. There are two main events though, which seems to have changed the course of history of this game and have set this game apart on a class of its own. These events have been engraved in the minds of many around the world, who love to watch or play the game.

The game which began as lawn tennis – a very gentlemanly game practiced widely in the 18th century changed radically with the invention of vulcanized rubber which elevated the game from indoors to the lawns or ‘real tennis’ as it is called since then.

The other event was the historic match between female tennis supreme Billie Jean King and her male opponent, another tennis super star Bobby Riggs. With King’s legendary win, female tennis stars got an instant recognition and won the respect of millions round the world. Tennis for women had finally arrived.

Vulcanized Rubber: 1850’s saw the invention of tennis balls made with vulcanized rubber. This invention radically changed the way people played tennis. From indoor courts, tennis was brought out in the open, outdoor courts. While the balls looked the same as it does today, the ‘real tennis’ court had angled walls where the ball could be strategically tackled and retuned to the opponent on the other side.

Tennis as we see today, began its history as ‘lawn tennis’ a game played mainly by the upper classes during the 1800s. It was a nice and decent way for courting couples where the couple could be involved in a gentle game, which did not upset the ladies too much.

With the invention of vulcanized rubber by Charles Goodyear of Goodyear Tire Company, tennis balls started to be made from rubber, replacing the earlier balls which were made from wads of wool, hair or cork wrapped tightly in leather or string and cloth.

The specific attribute which these rubber balls had which changed the course of history of tennis was that they did not need any wall to get bounced off. Hence tennis could easily be played outdoors in bright sunshine while the players enjoyed the fresh air while working themselves out. Once the game started to be played outdoors in lawns, new rules were established to compensate for the alterations in the speed and style, which was a natural outcome of playing outdoors on the lawns.

All credit for patenting game in 1874 with the United States Patent Office goes to Walter Clopton Wingfield, who is considered to be the father of modern tennis or lawn tennis. There is some debate on this issue as many say that there were others who introduced the game to the people while Wingfield got all the credit.

It was not long before tennis became a popular game. Many tennis clubs opened and in 1877 the first tennis championship game was played in Wimbledon.

Billie Jean King versus Bobby Riggs: King’s historic win over Riggs in 1973 changed female tennis forever. Though women were playing tennis earlier and making money also, King’s win brought women tennis players at par with men, especially in terms of financial gains. Today women can earn as much as their men counterparts in tennis. In fact, after King won the match, the world started to view women tennis players with more respect and awe. Many of today’s women tennis players credit King for changing the way the world looked at them as well as for their own success.

The game of tennis has changed manifold since its origin, but it still remains one of world’s favorite sports attracting, men, women and children.