Tennis is one of the most popular sports globally. Yet there are several facts unknown about the sport. So, what are 3 facts about tennis you should know?

When most people think of tennis, they think of Wimbledon and the all-white dress code. But tennis is a sport that can be played anywhere, by anyone. Here are three facts about tennis that you may not have known.

The three facts about tennis are tennis originated in France and is based on a game called 'Jeu de paume,'; Tennis Was Originally Played on an Hourglass-Shaped Court; yellow tennis balls were used for the first time in 1986. Before that, tennis was played with white balls.

While these facts have nothing to do with how the sport is played today, they make the game more interesting by adding history and culture. But these are not the only facts about tennis. Another interesting fact is that tennis was originally played on an hourglass-shaped court.

As tennis enthusiasts, we know all about the sport, so we have put together this guide to discuss the lesser-known facts about tennis.

Three Surprising Facts About Tennis

Tennis is a popular sport for both recreational and competitive play. There are many different tournaments held worldwide, ranging from small local events to large international competitions. The four Grand Slam tournaments (the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open) are considered the most prestigious tennis events.

Despite being one of the most popular sports globally, it still has many surprising facts hidden from the common people. Let's discuss them below.

1. Tennis Originated in France and is based on a Game Called 'Jeu De Paume'

Tennis originated in France and is based on a game called "Jeu de Paume," which was popular among the noblemen in the country. The game was played with the hand's palm, and it is thought that this is where the name tennis comes from. The game spread to other parts of Europe and eventually made its way to America. In 1874, Major Walter Wingfield patented a game called Sphairistike, which was similar to tennis. This new game became very popular, and soon tennis clubs were springing up all over America. The first Wimbledon tournament was held in 1877, and since then, tennis has grown into one of the most popular sports globally.

2. Tennis Was Originally Played on an Hourglass-Shaped Court

Tennis is a sport that has been around for centuries, and it has undergone many changes throughout its history. One of the most interesting facts about tennis is that it was originally played on an hourglass-shaped court.

The game of tennis is believed to have originated in the 12th century in Northern France, and it quickly spread to other parts of Europe. The earliest known illustration of tennis is from a French book called "Roman de la Rose," written in the 13th century. This illustration shows two players hitting a ball back and forth with their hands.

The first racket-like devices were not introduced until the 16th century, and the game was initially played with bare hands. It wasn't until the 18th century that the game began to be played with racquets. The hourglass-shaped court was also introduced during this time.

The hourglass-shaped court was used until the late 19th century, when the standard rectangular court we know today was introduced. The reason for this change is unknown, but likely, the rectangular court was simply more convenient to play on.

Tennis has come a long way since its early days, but it is still a popular sport that people of all ages enjoy. Who knows, maybe one day the game will return to its roots and be played on an hourglass-shaped court once again!

3. Yellow Tennis Balls Were First Time Used in 1986

In the early days of tennis, players used different balls. Some were made of cloth and filled with feathers, while others were made of solid rubber. It wasn't until the late 1800s that the first standardized ball was created. This new ball was made of tightly wound cloth and filled with gutta-percha, a type of rubber.

While this new ball was an improvement over previous designs, it still had its problems. Gutta-percha is a very hard material, so the balls would often bounce erratically and be challenging to control. In addition, they would quickly become misshapen after being used for just a few games.

It wasn't until 1886 that the modern tennis ball was created. This new ball was made of rubber covered with cloth, and it quickly became the standard for the game. The ball was much easier to control, and it held its shape much better than in previous designs.

The yellow tennis ball was first introduced at Wimbledon in 1986. Officials believed that the yellow color would be easier for players to see against the green grass of the court. While the change was initially met with some skepticism, it quickly became accepted by players and fans alike.

Today, tennis balls are still made of rubber covered with cloth. They are typically filled with air or nitrogen, which helps to keep them from going flat during a match. Most balls are also treated with a special coating that makes them less likely to absorb moisture from the court surface. This helps to keep them from becoming too heavy and bouncing erratically.

While the basic design of the tennis ball has remained relatively unchanged for over a century, there have been some minor changes over the years. For example, in 2000, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) changed the size of balls used at Wimbledon. The new balls were slightly larger than the old ones, and they also had a slightly different bounce.

The ITF made this change to make the game more exciting. They believed that the bigger balls would travel faster and create more spin, making rallies longer and more enjoyable to watch. While this change was controversial at first, it has since become accepted by most players and fans.

While the yellow tennis ball is now a staple of the game, it wasn't always so popular. When it was first introduced, many players were skeptical of its usefulness. However, it didn't take long for them to realize that the yellow ball was here to stay. It is an essential part of the game and is used at all levels, from amateur to professional.