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This year is believed to be the first year that a sport similar to tennis was played. French monks creatd a mud court to play on, and had to serve a ball over a rope across the court. The name tennis originated from how they shout the French word "Tenez" when they served.
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The game of tennis gains popularity at an alarming rate. Over 1,800 indoor courts were built since the start of tennis. It was becoming so popular that King Louis 4th and the pope tried to ban it.
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The tennis game bagan to become revised to make it more "modern". Modern for the 1500 that is. They used a lighter balm wood for the rackets, and sheep guts for the strings. The ball was now made out of cork. However, the game play was much different. The goal was to hit the net with the ball, not avoid it!
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The sport spreads to Europe, and Henry the 7th and Henry the 8th become huge fans of it. The tennis court that they built in the Hampton Court Palace still survives to this day.
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Charles Goodyear. You recognize the name? I hope so! He was the one who invented a process that can make rubber bouncier and lighter. This caused tennis to gain tremondous opularit again, and now allows the players to play on grass. Different from modern day, but getting closer!
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Major Walter C. patents and publishes the equiment for a game called, Sphairistike. Strange name, though it's meaning in Greek is playing at ball. The court was much smaller and shaped like an hourglass, but none the less it is considered a major step toward modern tennis. Mostly because it was paved, not simply dirt.
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The Wimbledon Championships are invented, though only for men.
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Women are allowed to play in the Wimbledon Championships for the first time.
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The intorduction of the tiebreak is officially added to the rules. If you have played tennis, then you know how complicated it is!
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Welcome to today! Tennis is a well know and popular sport around the U.S, and many kids enjoy playing it. Myself included!
