The game many of us know and love originated in Birmingham in the late 19th century.
Tennis - or lawn tennis - has changed little since the 1890’s. The only two major changes being that from 1908 to 1961 the server had to keep one foot on the ground at all times, and the addition of tiebreaks in the 1970s.
With the dawning of technology, it’s now implemented in the sport. Players are now able to contest the line call of a point which is then checked with a computer system named Hawk Eye.
It’s thought the origins of the sports predecessor lay in the 12th century in Northern France, although no racket was used back then, but the palm of the hand. Jeu de paume - which translates to game of the palm - eventually evolved into lawn tennis.
Many Hampshire residents through the years have enjoyed tennis, including 1990s star Chris Wilkinson.
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