By Sara Millbank
Ball games can be traced back to ancient times mainly from carvings found in Egyptian temples and were thought to be part of their religious ceremonies. The whole concept of the ball game spread to Europe in the 8th century by the Moors and was played by Christian Monks in Southern France. Played with either the hand or a stick and known as ‘la soule’ the game became so popular that the Church considered banning it. Early versions of tennis were played against a wall usually in courtyards so the ball would be retrievable. During the 12th and 13th century the game developed and made its way out of the monasteries. Players found they had better control over the ball by using their hands so a leather glove was created. The glove progressed to having a wooden handle and so created the first tennis racket. The balls were also changed from solid wood to leather stuffed with bran.
By the 16th, 17th and 18th Century French Royalty were playing the game called ‘Jeu de paumme’ (the game of the palm) and called ‘tenez’ play at the start of play. It was played indoors, in large galleries with jutting roofs and was then known as real or royal tennis. Unlike today’s tennis the ball was allowed to bounce more than once and still be in play. In England Henry VIII became a keen player and had a court built in his palace at Hampton court, which is still used today by Real Tennis enthusiasts.
In the 19th Century courts were built in famous country houses and the first tennis clubs began to appear. Enthusiasts began to adapt the game outside and with the development of vulcanised rubber, balls became softer and did not damage the grass, so Lawn tennis emerged. Arthur Balfour, a British Statesman, coined the term and soon tennis on lawn surfaces were being played all over Britain replacing the croquet as the summer sport. The All England Croquet Club, formed in 1869 struggled for members and so decided in 1875 to offer Lawn tennis as an extra attraction. This provide so successful that in 1877 the club changed its name to The All England Croquet and Tennis Club. Home for the club was the four-acre site in Wimbledon but funds were needed, so the committee decided to hold a tournament. Sets of rules were drawn up and 22 players and over 200 spectators established the first ever Wimbledon Championship.
The Wimbledon Championships.
Today more than 60 nations of professional players compete in front of over 500,000 people with millions worldwide watching via the television, radio and Internet. The Championship always starts six weeks before the first Monday in August and lasts for a fortnight, or until all events are completed. There are now 13 events including Gentlemen’s singles and Doubles, Ladies’ Singles and Doubles and even the Gentlemen’s Wheelchair doubles. The first Wimbledon Champion was William Renshaw who won the title eight times between 1881 and 1889 - a record that remains unbeaten today. In 1905, 71 players attended Wimbledon including Mary Sutton from the USA, who was the first international player. In 1909 the club changed the title to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and adopted the purple and green colours. Both are still used today. In 1927 the first Radio broadcast increased the popularity of the game and by the 1930’s player like Fred Perry and Henri Lacoste were the stars of the courts. Men wore long white trousers and ladies wore long white dresses and stockings. This was all to change when Benny Austin from the USA stepped out on to court in 1933 wearing shorts and the rest as they say is history.
La Manga Club Tennis Centre
In an unspoilt corner of Southern Spain, east of Costa del Sol, lies the hidden world of La Manga Tennis Centre. It is the official winter training base for the Lawn Tennis Association and has also hosted David Cup events and Federation Cup matches. There are 28 courts (mostly floodlit) on a choice of clay, astro turf or hard surfaces, which cater for ever player’s needs. The academy also houses the latest V1 digital coaching technology and runs classes for all ages and levels. There is also a tennis shop, fitness centre, beauty treatment, sauna and Jacuzzi facilities. Regular tournaments and ‘friendlies’ are held and during the summer there are BBQ`s, quiz evenings and celebrity matches. If you want to find out more there is a Tennis Welcome afternoon every Sunday with free play, a glass of sangria and your chance to meet the pros and fellow players.
One to watch
Andy Murray (GBR)
Andy Murray was born in Dunblane in Scotland on 15th May 1987. He is 6 foot 2 inches tall (although he is still growing) and is a right–handed player with a two handed back hand. He is the youngest son of former Scottish national coach Judy Murray, but has based himself in Barcelona since the age of 15. Andrew was named Young Sports Personality by the BBC in 2004 after the Lawn Tennis Association had already named him Young Player of the year for two years. He only turned professional in 2005 and has won two major tournaments since then. He is ranked 10 in the world and is the number one player of Great Britain. His prize money has increased and everyone hopes that he does better than last year's fourth round appearance at this year’s Wimbledon.