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National Tennis Month – May 2024

National Tennis Month is celebrated in May annually. It is a month where we appreciate all things tennis.

From the players to communities and organizations who are involved in tennis, everyone is appreciated. Tennis Month is also called National Tennis Month. If you’re a tennis player, you know how much fun tennis is, and at the same time, you get a good aerobic workout. Tennis is a great activity for everyone, which is why the United States Tennis Association (U.S.T.A.) sponsors Tennis Month with activities scheduled for nearly every day in May. Everyone should be participating in it for fun as well as the health benefits.

History of National Tennis Month

Tennis is believed to have been invented in Croydon, England, and was known as lawn tennis then. Now, it is simply known as tennis with more complex rules. Lots of historians believe tennis originated in northern France in the 12th century, but back then, the ball was struck with the palm, giving it the name ‘jeu de paume,’ meaning “game of the palm.” Rackets then came into use in the 16th Century, and the game began to be called ‘tennis.’ It was a very popular game in England and France, and King Henry VIII of England was a big fan of the game.

In 1900, the Davis Cup, an annual competition between men’s national teams, was founded. The equivalent competition for women, the Fed Cup, was founded in 1963 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the International Tennis Federation, also known as the I.T.F. In 1926, the first professional tennis tour was launched with a group of American and French tennis players playing exhibition matches to paying audiences. The most notable of these early professionals were Vinnie Richards, an American, and Frenchwoman Suzanne Lenglen. Professional tennis players couldn’t compete in major (amateur) tournaments.

In 1968, commercial pressures led to the abandonment of this distinction, allowing professional tennis players to compete in major tournaments and thus inaugurated the Open Era in which all players could compete in all tournaments. The beginning of the Open Era had a ripple effect on spreading tennis’ popularity worldwide and somewhat led to the sport shedding its upper/middle-class English-speaking image.

National Tennis Month timeline

12th Century
The French Play a Variation of Tennis

The French play a variation of tennis called ‘jeu de paume,’ meaning “game of the palm.”

16th Century
Rackets are Used

Rackets come into use and the game begins to be called tennis.

1900
The Davis Cup

The Davis Cup, an annual competition between men’s national teams, is founded.

1926
The First Professional Tour

The first professional tennis tour is launched.

1963
The Fed Cup

The Fed Cup, an annual competition between women’s national teams, is founded.

1968
The Open Era

The Open Era launches and makes tennis a popular sport worldwide.

National Tennis Month FAQs

Who invented modern tennis?

Major Walter Clopton Wingfield is the founder of modern tennis, and he took out a patent on his game in 1874.

What is bye tennis?

It is an automatic advancement of a player to the next round of a tournament without facing an opponent. They are often awarded in the first round to the top-seeded players in a tournament.

What does F.B mean in a tennis draw?

Some tournaments have a ‘double feed’ consolation structure and make losers from two separate rounds feed into the same back draw.

National Tennis Month Activities

  1. Enroll in a tournament

    Celebrate the day by enrolling in a tournament. It offers you fun as well as healthy competition.

  2. Join a tennis club

    Join a tennis club to be amongst like-minds. Joining one comes with some perks that you’ll have to join to find out, so go enroll now.

  3. Spread awareness

    Spread awareness about Tennis Month. This helps others join in on the fun.

5 Interesting Facts About Tennis

  1. Richard Sears

    He was an American tennis player who won the U.S National Championships singles in its first seven years, from 1881 to 1887, after which he retired from the sport.

  2. Henry Slocum

    Slocum was an American tennis player who won the tournament two straight years after Sears retired.

  3. Oliver Campbell

    Campbell was an American male tennis player who won three consecutive singles titles at the U.S. Championships from 1890 to 1892.

  4. Robert Wrenn

    Wrenn was a four-time U.S. singles championship winner and one of the first inductees into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

  5. Frederick Hovey

    Hovey won the tournament in between Wrenn’s four tournaments.

Why We Love National Tennis Month

  1. Tennis is good for the health

    Tennis, just like other sporting activities, does wonders for your health. From strengthening heart muscles to fighting depression, tennis does a lot.

  2. Tennis is fun

    Tennis is a fun, non-contact sport. Participators are less likely to get injuries with just about the same workout.

  3. It brings people together

    Tennis is a sport that builds a bond between people. As it is played with either one opponent or two, it builds a special bond.

National Tennis Month dates

YearDateDay
2024May 1Wednesday
2025May 1Thursday
2026May 1Friday
2027May 1Saturday
2028May 1Monday
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