Tennis: From Upper Class Sport to the World
July 13, 2008 – 9:15 am
Tennis is a worldwide popular racquet sport played by two players or two players of two separate teams. It is a net game in which players use racquet, tennis ball, and court.
The game was firstly played by upper class in the United Kingdom where the play also was originated in the 19th century. Do not you remember tennis scenes from history books and movies? Women who wear ball clothes and men in suits play tennis; it was symbol of high class and their nobleness. As this game was accepted as a sign of being noble, it was not widespread; it was played only by a certain public. There were no courts; people played it only in their own areas.
With time, tennis and required materials became available for everyone, it was played by more and more people, and it became an Olympic sport. Now there are people playing this enjoyable game from all around the world.
International Tennis Federation
International Tennis Federation is the head organ of this game, the federation was established in 1913 and many associations from different countries are bound to it. Federation holds cups, slams, and tournaments; it is the authority to set up rules of tennis game. The federation is also responsible from officials.
Tennis Court – Basic Rules – Shots
A rectangular and flat grass, clay or hard surface court is used for tennis, the measurements of a tennis court is 23.77 meters to 8.23 meters.
Player or team having four points wins the game, set of the game changes. Serve, backhand and forehand, and grips are major shot types, there are also other ones, but these are the main ones. While learning playing tennis, serve, backhand and forehand are the first things to learn.
Tournaments and Grand Slams
Tournaments are classified according to the age of player, gender, or any other specific situation such as using wheel chair. There are four great tournaments, Grand Slams: Australian Open, French Open, the US Open and Wimbledon. These tournaments are held every year by International Tennis Federation. More than a hundred players join these organizations and they are watched by millions of people from different countries.
Grand slams were not held at the same time, the first one is Australian Open. It was held in 1905, every year it is held in Australia, in Melbourne Park. The French Open is the second grand slam tournament, it is held in France, Paris. Nowadays, Wimbledon is the most popular of these organizations, it is the third grand slam tournament, and it is held in the United Kingdom annually. The US Open has a historical background, and it is the latest grand slam tournament. The US Open is held annually, too. It is held in New York, in the USA.
For further information, images, videos and latest news visit Tennis.com