Tennis: Its History, Rules and Benefits Essay

Introduction

There are a lot of disputes concerning the origin of tennis. It is believed that Egyptians, Greek, and Romans are the inventors of this fascinating game. Although there are not any descriptions of this game, drawings, and other artifacts testifying to the fact that this game was invented by Egyptians, Greek and Romans, there are some Arabic words that serve as evidence of this fact (Cooper, n.d.). The name of the game refers to the Egyptian town Tinnis that is near the river Nile and the word racquet comes from the Arabic word rahat denoting the palm of a human hand. Despite these words, there is no other evidence of the introduction of this game among Egyptians, Greek, and Romans.

History of tennis

Most historians consider French monks to be the first who played this game nearly in the 10th or 11th centuries. It is believed that they played a crude handball against the wall or over the rope strung across the yard. The name of the game comes from the word jeu de paume that means ‘game of the hand’ (Cooper, n.d.). Other historians believe that the name of the game takes roots from the French word tenez denoting something that can be taken from one player to another. When the game became more popular, it began to be played indoors using the same equipment including the ball, the wall, or the rope. Playing with a crude ball was inconvenient with bare hands, and players started to use gloves to protect their hands, and further on a racquet got in use. The ball used in the game was modified later too, and it was done with the help of a wad of hair, cork, or wool wrapped in cloth or leather.

This game was considered to be the privilege of high classes as far as the first ones who played this game were monks. Despite the prohibitions of the Pope and Louis lV, this game spread all over the world and English kings Henry Vll and Henry Vlll were the ardent players of this game. The racquet was changed by 1500, and it was made of a wooden frame strung with sheep gut (Cooper, n.d.). This new racquet as well as a cork-cored ball made the game easier and more interesting. The ball weighed three ounces was more convenient to play with it. The tennis courts used by royal families differed from modern ones. The first tennis court that resembled the modern one was constructed in 1625 and it was England’s Hampton Court that is still used in our times (Cooper, n.d.). It is a narrow indoor court so that the ball may be played against the wall.

The popularity of this game faded away in 1700, but 1850 was considered to be the year of the peak of its popularity. Charles Goodyear’s invention of a vulcanization process for rubber made considerable changes in tennis. The ball that was played with became much lighter and this game started to be played outdoors on the grass. Outdoor tennis changed from the indoor one considerably, so that there were no walls to play against them and rules were changed completely.

1874 is considered to be the year of the birth of modern tennis, the same as we play in our time. Major Walter C. Wingfield is the creator of tennis rules and equipment (Cooper, n.d.). The first courts appeared in America in the same year. Further on, tennis equipment began to be sold to Canada, India, China, and Russia. Croquet that was very popular at that time was supplanted with tennis, and smooth courts used in croquet were very convenient for playing tennis. The first tennis tournament was organized by the All England Club in 1877, and it was known as the first Wimbledon tournament. It was the first tournament with the rules that are used in modern tennis.

Rules and benefits

The rules of this play are quite simple. It is a play for two or four persons or singles and doubles. The players should stand on opposite sides from the net. That player who is the first to deliver the ball is known as the Server, and the other player is called the Receiver. The right to be the Server or the Receiver as well as the choice of sides is decided by toss. The winner chooses one of these privileges whether he decides to be the Server or the Receiver or chooses the side. The opponent has left the other privilege. If the winner chooses the side, the opponent decides who the Receiver and the Server are, and if the winner chooses to decide it himself, the opponent is left to choose the side.

The Server should stand behind the baseline within the boundaries for singles playing single and within the double baseline playing doubles. Ordinary points are played on the deuce court, while from the advantage court odd number points are played. The Server should not start till the Receiver is ready. Serves made from the deuce court should be played on the opponent’s service court, while serves from the advantage court should be made to the opponent’s advantage box. If the Server fails to hit the target twice, the point is lost (Tennis Rules Simplified, 2001). If the ball touches the net but hits the correct box, another service should be done. If the Server goes over the boundaries when he serves, he has deemed a fault. The Receiver may stand where he wants, but he is obliged to let the ball bounce in the service box. If the ball is failed to bounce in the service box, another service should be done. If the receiver hits the ball before it touches the service box, he wins the point (Tennis Rules Simplified, 2001). If the ball touches the net or goes outside the boundaries, the player hitting the ball loses the points. A player may also lose his points if he touches the net, bounces the ball over the net, tries to distract his opponent deliberately, drops the racquet while hitting the ball, touches with the ball the surrounding parts such as trees, roofs, or other objects. Let is the notion used in the game when there is a distraction made by the opponent deliberately or a ball rolls on the court.

The Server is the first who starts the game. If he wins the first point, he has a score of 15. Scoring in tennis resembles the clock. Love denotes zero in this game. The second point is scored 30. The third point is 45 and the game is considered to be won when the score is love again. If there is a score of 40-40 that is known as the deuce, one side is given a possibility to win by two points. Advantage-In denotes the probable winner of the game if the next point is hit. Advantage-Out denotes an approaching win of the Receiver if he hits the next point (Tennis Rules Simplified, 2001).

Tennis has been known as the “sport for a lifetime” (Taori, 2009). This game may be played by people of any age. Tennis is not only a popular kind of sport; it is a popular kind of entertainment in our time. This game is very useful for health, strength, fitness, and agility. There are physical, mental, and emotional benefits of playing tennis. Tennis increases cardiovascular fitness, improves body strength, increases general body coordination, improves flexibility, and is an effective method of weight loss. Except for all these physical benefits, there are some mental ones. Tennis develops disciplines and plans strategies. More than that, playing tennis develops social skills, accommodates stress, and teaches sportsmanship (Taori, 2009).

Conclusion

Tennis has become one of the most popular games all over the world. Everyone may enjoy playing this game professionally or with friends in their free time. The rules of this game are not very complicated, and it does not need supernatural abilities to play tennis. This game is quite simple to be taught to play. There are not only benefits for your physical, mental, and emotional development, but this game makes fun, and it is the best way of spending free time with your friends. There is no wonder that tennis is enjoyed all over the world by people belonging to different cultures and different social classes. This game was the privilege of rich people in the past, and now it is available to everybody. Everyone should not neglect such a great opportunity to try to play tennis.

References

Cooper, Jeff. n.d. The Origins and Early History of Tennis. Web. 2012.

Taori, Ravish, 2009. Benefits of Tennis. Web. 2012.

Tennis Rules Simplified, 2001. Web. 2012.