Sampled Tennis Gallery

That popular racket & ball sport

A 12th century game in northern France called "jeu de paume" (game of the palm) is thought, by historians, to be a predecessor of the modern sport of tennis. This game became popular amongst royalty throughout Europe. By the 16th century rackets came into use and the word "tennis" was being used to describe it. A game which would develop into the modern sport of tennis was started by a solicitor and his friend between 1859 and 1865. In 1872, the two friends, along with two doctors, founded the world's first tennis club. This game was further refined by Walter Clopton Wingfield and he is generally considered to be the 'father' of modern tennis.