The origin of tennis can be traced back to ancient racket sports, but the modern form of tennis originated in 19th-century England. Here is a brief history of the origin of tennis:
Ancient origins: Similar racket sports existed in ancient civilizations. Activities resembling tennis can be traced back to ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, the Roman era, and medieval Europe.
"Real" origin of tennis: The modern origin of tennis can be traced back to 19th-century England. In some elite schools and social circles in England, people began playing a sport called "Real Tennis." This game had some similarities to modern tennis, but the rules and court were different.
Development of lawn tennis: In the mid-19th century, people started playing a version more similar to modern tennis on grass courts. This was the precursor to modern lawn tennis, which also gained popularity in England.
Establishment of tennis rules: In 1868, Mary Ewing Outerbridge of England founded one of the earliest women's tennis clubs and established a set of competition rules. From then on, the rules and spirit of tennis gradually developed.
Spread of tennis: Tennis quickly spread to other countries, becoming an international sport. In 1881, the Lawn Tennis Association was founded in England, promoting the organization and promotion of tennis.
Development of tennis tournaments: In the early 20th century, tennis tournaments gradually became a professional sport and gained global influence through a series of major championships and open tournaments. The most famous among them include the Wimbledon Championships (now known as Wimbledon) and the US Open (now known as the US Open).
From 19th-century England to the modern era, tennis has continually evolved and developed into a popular global sport.
