History of Lawn Tennis
The racket sport traditionally named lawn tennis, invented in Edbgdston, Warwickshire ,
England, now commonly known simply as Tennis, is the direct descendant of what is
now denoted real tennis or royal tennis, which continues to be played today as a
separate sport with more complex rules.
Most rules of (lawn) tennis derive from this precursor and it is reasonable to see both
sports as variations of the same game. Most historians believe that tennis originated in
the monastic cloisters in northern France in the 12th century, but the ball was then
struck with the palm of the hand, hence the name jue de peume (lit. 'game of the
palm').[1] It was not until the 16th century that rackets came into use and the game
began to be called 'tennis'. It was popular in the Kingdom of France as well as in
England, where Henri VIII in England was a notable enthusiast of the game, which is now
referred to as 'real tennis'.
Many original tennis courts remain, including courts at Oxford, Cambridge, Falkland
Palace in Fife where Mary Queen of Scots regularly played, and Hampton Court Place.
Many of the French courts were decommissioned with the terror that accompanied
the French Revolution . The Tennis Court Oath (Serment du Jeu de Paume) was a pivotal
event during the first days of the French Revolution; it was a pledge signed by 576 of
the 577 members from the Third Estate who were locked out of a meeting of the
Estates-General on 20 June 1789.
Marylebone Cricket club Rules of Lawn Tennis have been official, with periodic slight
modifications, ever since 1875. Those rules were adopted by the All England Lawn
Tennis and Croquet Club for the first lawn tennis championship, The Championship
Wimbledon in 1877.
The Davis Cup, an annual competition between men's national teams, dates to 1900. The
analogous competition for women's national teams, the Fed Cup, was founded as the
Federation Cup in 1963 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of
the International Tennis Federation , also known as the ITF.
Promoter C.C.Pyle created the first professional tennis tour in 1926, with a group of
American and French tennis players playing exhibition matches to paying audiences. The
most notable of these early professionals were the American Vinnie Richards and the
Frenchwoman Suzanne Lenglen. Players turning pro could not compete in the major
(amateur) tournaments.
In 1968 commercial pressures and rumours of some amateurs taking money under the
table led to the abandonment of this distinction, inaugurating the Open Era, in which all
players could compete in all tournaments and top players were able to make their living
from tennis. With the beginning of the Open Era, the establishment of an international
professional tennis circuit, and revenues from the sale of television rights, tennis's
popularity has spread worldwide, and the sport has shed its upper/middle-class English-
speaking image (although it is acknowledged that this stereotype still exists).
Tennis court
A tennis court is universally recognized with specific dimensions that cater to
both singles and doubles play. The court measures 78 feet (23.77 meters) in
length. For singles matches, the court width is 27 feet (8.23 meters), while for
doubles, the width extends to 36 feet (10.97 meters). The service line is
positioned 21 feet (6.4 meters) from the net, marking the boundary for service
shots.
Singles vs. Doubles
The distinction between singles and doubles play is primarily noted by the
court's width. In singles, the court's width is narrower at 27 feet, focusing the
play tighter and more directly across the net. In contrast, doubles courts are
36 feet wide, providing additional space on each side of the court. This extra
width accommodates the additional player on each side, making room for a
wider range of shots and strategies. The sidelines for doubles are marked a
few feet outside the singles sidelines, running perpendicular to the net, thus
defining the side boundaries for doubles matches.
Total Playing Area
The total playing area also varies between singles and doubles setups. For
singles, the total playing area is approximately 2,106 square feet (195.65
square meters), while for doubles, it increases to about 2,808 square feet
(260.87 square meters).
Service Boxes
The service boxes are critical areas where players serve the ball. Each court
has two service boxes, divided by the center service line. These boxes
measure 21 feet (6.4 meters) from the net and 13.5 feet (4.1 meters) in width,
totaling an area of 283.5 square feet (26.3 square meters) each. Players must
serve into the correct box depending on the score; the deuce service box is
used when the score is deuce, and the ad service box is used when the score
is ad in or ad out.
Backcourt
Known as "no man's land," the backcourt is the area between the service line
and the baseline, spanning 18 feet (5.5 meters) in length and 27 feet (8.2
meters) in width. This area, totaling 486 square feet (45.2 square meters), is
challenging for players as it is too far to effectively volley yet too close to
comfortably hit groundstrokes. This strategic area often determines players'
positioning and movement during the game.
Doubles Alley
The doubles alley is an additional area used exclusively in doubles matches. It
runs along both sides of the court, extending the total width to 36 feet (10.97
meters) for doubles play. Each alley is approximately 4.5 feet (1.4 meters)
wide and 39 feet (11.9 meters) long, adding 175.5 square feet (16.3 square
meters) per alley. This extra space allows doubles players to utilize wider
angles and cover more ground during play. Service Boxes
The service boxes are critical areas where players serve the ball. Each court
has two service boxes, divided by the center service line. These boxes
measure 21 feet (6.4 meters) from the net and 13.5 feet (4.1 meters) in width,
totaling an area of 283.5 square feet (26.3 square meters) each. Players must
serve into the correct box depending on the score; the deuce service box is
used when the score is deuce, and the ad service box is used when the score
is ad in or ad out.
Backcourt
Known as "no man's land," the backcourt is the area between the service line
and the baseline, spanning 18 feet (5.5 meters) in length and 27 feet (8.2
meters) in width. This area, totaling 486 square feet (45.2 square meters), is
challenging for players as it is too far to effectively volley yet too close to
comfortably hit groundstrokes. This strategic area often determines players'
positioning and movement during the game.
Doubles Alley
The doubles alley is an additional area used exclusively in doubles matches. It
runs along both sides of the court, extending the total width to 36 feet (10.97
meters) for doubles play. Each alley is approximately 4.5 feet (1.4 meters)
wide and 39 feet (11.9 meters) long, adding 175.5 square feet (16.3 square
meters) per alley. This extra space allows doubles players to utilize wider
angles and cover more ground during play.
Grass
Grass courts are the fastest type of tennis court surfaces, offering a unique
playing experience that significantly favors players with strong serve-and-
volley tactics. The ball tends to bounce lower and the game pace is quicker,
which is ideal for aggressive play. Notable tournaments such as Wimbledon
utilize this surface. However, grass courts require extensive maintenance
including regular mowing and watering, and they can become slippery in wet
conditions.
Clay
Clay courts, recognized by their distinctive red or sometimes green color,
provide a slower game with higher ball bounce, which can enhance rallies and
strategic play. This surface is particularly popular in Europe and South
America and is the standard for events like the French Open. Clay courts
allow players to slide effectively, which can be beneficial for defensive
strategies. However, they are high-maintenance, needing regular irrigation,
rolling, and brushing to maintain flatness and playability.
Hard
Hard courts are among the most common types of tennis surfaces in
worldwide , used in prestigious tournaments like the US Open and Australian
Open. These courts are made from rigid materials such as asphalt or concrete
and are often coated with acrylic resins to create a durable and slightly
cushioned surface. Hard courts offer a good balance of speed and bounce,
providing a consistent playing experience. They require minimal maintenance
compared to grass and clay courts, making them a popular choice for
recreational and professional venues alike.
Tennis Bat & Ball
a lightweight implement that consists of a netting (as of nylon) stretched in a usually
oval open frame with a handle attached and that is used for striking the ball or
shuttlecock in various games (such as tennis, racquets, or badminton)
The size of a tennis racket depends on several factors, including the player's
age, height, and playing style:
• Length
The length of a tennis racket is measured from the butt of the handle to the tip of
the head. The maximum length allowed for tennis rackets is 29 inches. Here are
some general guidelines for racket length by age:
• 8–9 years: 23–25 inches
• 9–10 years: 25–26 inches
• 10+ years: 26–27 inches
• Adult: 27 inches
• Weight
A heavier racket is more powerful and stable, but a lighter racket is easier to
maneuver.
• Head size
A larger head size provides more power and a larger sweet spot, but a smaller head
size offers more control.
• Grip size
A grip that is too small can make it difficult to control shots, while a grip that is too
big can fatigue your hand and limit wrist movement. To find your grip size, measure
from the crease of your palm to the tip of your ring finger.
There are 4 main ways to grip the tennis racket, they are, continental, eastern, semi-
western and western grips. Each grip has it's own pros and cons. Your grip of choice
has a rather large influence on how you play the game.
Tennis Balls have a diameter of 2.575”-2.7” (6.54-6.86 cm) and circumference of 8.09”-
8.48” (20.6-21.5 cm). The mass of a Tennis Ball must be between 1.975-2.095 oz (56-
59.4 g). A Tennis Ball is a ball designed for the sport of tennis.
Rules of Tennis game
A tennis match can be played by either one player on each side – a singles match – or
two players on each side – a doubles match. The rectangular shaped court has a base
line (at the back), service areas (two spaces just over the net in which a successful
serve must land in) and two tram lines down either side. A singles match will mean you
use the inner side tram line and a doubles match will mean you use the outer tram line.
A court can be played on four main surfaces including grass, clay, hard surface and
carpet. Each tournament will choose one surface type and stick without throughout. All
that is required in terms of equipment is a stringed racket each and a tennis ball.
You need to score four points to win a game of tennis. The points are known as 15 (1 point), 30
(two points), 40 (three points) and the fourth would result in the winning point and the end of
that game. If the scores went to 40-40 this would be known as deuce. When a game reaches
deuce the player must then win by two clear points.
To win the game you must win a certain amount of sets (best of three for women’s
matches and best of 5 sets for men’s matches). Winning a set is simply the first player
to reach 6 games but have to be clear by at least 2 games. If your opponent wins 5
games you must win the set 7-5. If the set goes to 6-6 then a tie break is played and it’s
simply the first player to 7 points.
• The game starts with a coin toss to determine which player must serve first and
which side they want to serve from.
• The server must then serve each point from alternative sides on the base line. At
no point must the server’s feet move in front of the baseline on the court prior to
hitting their serve.
• If the server fails to get their first serve in they may take advantage of a second
serve. If they again fail to get their second serve in then a double fault will be
called and the point lost.
• If the server clips the net but the ball goes in the service area still then let is
called and they get to take that serve again without penalty. If the ball hits the net
and fails to go in the service area then out is called and they lose that serve.
• The receiver may stand where they wish upon receipt of the serve. If the ball is
struck without the serve bouncing then the server will receive the point.
• Once a serve has been made the amount of shots between the players can be
unlimited. The point is won by hitting the ball so the opponent fails to return it in
the scoring areas.
• Points are awarded in scores of 15, 30 and 40. 15 represent 1 point, 30 = 2 and
40 = 3. You
• need 4 points to win a game. If a game lands on 40-40 it’s known as deuce.
From deuce a player needs to win 2 consecutive points to win the game. After
winning one point from deuce they player is on advantage. If the player wins the
next point they win the game, if they lose it goes back to deuce.
• To win the set a player must win 6 games by 2 or more. The opening sets will go
to a tie break if its ends up 6-6 where players play first to 7 points. The final set
will not have a tie break and requires players to win by two games with no limits.
• If a player touches the net, distracts his opponent or impedes in anyway then
they automatically lose the point.
• The ball can hit any part of the line for the point to be called in, outside the line
and the ball is out.
Tennis in Bangladesh
Bangladesh Tennis Federation was established in 1972. It established
the National Tennis Complex in Ramna, Dhaka in 1977. In 1985, the
Federation became a member of the International Tennis
Federation based in London, United Kingdom.
