History
Historic debut:Tennis started in the early 1500 B.C. by the egyptians who practiced the sport as a sacred ritual. Throughout the years it was eventualy developped into a spiritual ceremony sport. Later during the VIII century, the concept of ball/racquet games quickly spread throughout Europe after an encounter between the christians in southern France and the Moors (an oriental religion which inherited the sport from egypt.As the Christians were very interested in the Moors ways, they soon adapted the game which we now call tennis. The christians came out with the first official version of Tennis called "La Soule". In La Soule, players would hit a ball back and forth between each other with either their hands or a stick. This variation finally got released from the monateries in the late XII century. Players noticed that they could control the ball much easier if they used their hands but this did cause quite some pain so in consequence they developpe a leather glove to protect their hand. Later, this glove was attached to a stick and became the first tennis racquet in the world. The balls were also put under a lot changes throughout history; starting off as a wooden ball to a straw packed leather ball. | |
Real Tennis:In the XVI to the XVII, Tennis, also know as "Jeu de Paume", became very popular amongst royalty in France. The game once again was renamed to Royal (or Real) Tennis because of the new found royal popularity. During this game, before serving one had to yell Tenez ( a french word meaning "hold") and through english entrepatation was then doubbed Tennis.Royal Tennis was actually very different than tennis we know today. The sport was actually very different than the version we know today. The court was in a huge gymnasium and points were given depending on the way players would bounce balls against the walls and where the ball would land. As the expenses this game needed (huge gymnasium, expensive equipement, etc...) the peasent never did get to play the sport. |
 Royal Tennis |
Lawn Tennis:
Lawn Tennis was the first version to finally resemble the one we love and play now. The sport was mainly developpent by peasents as an alternative to Royal Tennis because the cost was much lower than the latter (only equipement needed were a few wooden stakes, some straw packed ball and a wooden racquet.) The game was also played on a grass or dirt surface with courts much resembling those of today. |
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Conclusion:Through the years to the present time, the rules did not vary much between Lawn Tennis and now. The equipment did however get changed around a lot. This great game has, is and will always be loved by all hopefully. |
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