History of tennis
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The racket sport traditionally named lawn tennis, invented in Edgbaston, Birmingham, 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. The first Lawn Tennis Club and tournament was held in Royal Leamington Spa on 1 August 1882.
Players on Wimbledon's Centre Court in 2008, a year before the installation of a retractable roof
Real tennis racquets and balls. Cahusac at the Falkland Palace Royal Tennis Club.
Drawing of a Lawn Tennis court as originally designed by Major Walter Clopton Wingfield in 1874
Cover of the first edition of the book about Lawn Tennis by Walter Clopton Wingfield, published in February 1874
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC), also known as the All England Club, based at Church Road, Wimbledon, London, England, is a private members' club. It is best known as the venue for the Wimbledon Championships, the only Grand Slam tennis event still held on grass. Initially an amateur event that occupied club members and their friends for a few days each summer, the championships have become far more prominent than the club itself. However, it still operates as a members' tennis club.
Finals of the Ladies' lawn tennis singles tournament at the 1908 Olympics, at the club
Centre Court, Wimbledon (before the retractable roof was installed)
People sitting on Aorangi terrace, better known as Henman Hill, watching main matches on the large screen