The Origin of Tennis: From Royal Handball to a Global Phenomenon

7 mai 2026

The history of tennis is a rich journey spanning over 800 years — from a medieval French handball game played by monks to one of the most-watched sports on the planet. The origin of tennis is as fascinating as the game of tennis itself. Whether you're curious about when tennis was invented, where was tennis started, how the scoring system works, or how the modern game evolved, this complete guide covers it all.

Medieval Roots: The Birth of Jeu de Paume

The earliest origins of tennis trace back to 12th-century France, where monks began playing a game called jeu de paume ("game of the palm"). Players hit a ball with their bare hands across a rope strung across a courtyard. Over time, gloves were introduced, then paddles, and eventually strung rackets.

By the 16th century, jeu de paume had become enormously popular among French royalty and nobility. King Francis I of France and King Henry VIII of England were both passionate players. The game was played indoors in elaborate purpose-built courts — a version still played today as real tennis or royal tennis.

So where was tennis started? The roots lie in medieval France, but the modern outdoor game was born in Britain in the 1870s before spreading rapidly to the United States and beyond.

The Victorian Revolution: Lawn Tennis Takes Root

The modern outdoor game we know today was born in 1873, when Welsh army officer Major Walter Clopton Wingfield patented a game called Sphairistikè. Wingfield's game was played on an hourglass-shaped grass court and used a rubber ball.

In 1877, the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club held the first Wimbledon Championships — the oldest tennis tournament in the world, still played on grass today.

Tennis Scoring Explained: Where Did It Come From?

15, 30, 40: Believed to derive from a clock face
Deuce: From the French deux — two points needed to win
Love: From the French l'oeuf (the egg) — representing zero
Ad In / Ad Out: Advantage to server or receiver after deuce
Break: When the receiver wins a service game

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The Global Spread and International Competition

The US Open began in 1881, the French Open in 1891, and the Australian Open in 1905. Together with Wimbledon, these form the Grand Slams. The ITF was founded in 1913. Tennis was reinstated as an Olympic sport in 1988.

In the United States, the sport was formalised in 1881 with the founding of the United States National Lawn Tennis Association — now known as the USTA. The United States National Lawn Tennis championships, held that same year, became what is today the US Open. The states national lawn tennis governing body played a pivotal role in standardising rules and growing the sport across North America.

The Open Era: 1968 to Today

In 1968, Grand Slams opened to professional tennis players — starting the Open Era. This also meant professionals could compete for significant prize money for the first time, transforming tennis into a viable career.

Legends like Borg, McEnroe, and Sampras defined the men's game, while women's tennis was elevated by icons like Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf. In the 21st century, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have dominated the sport, each winning 20+ Grand Slam titles.

Today, anyone who plays tennis is part of a global community. The sport is played in 200+ countries by an estimated 87 million players worldwide.

Key Dates in Tennis History

12th century: Jeu de paume in France — where was tennis started
1873: Modern lawn tennis invented by Major Wingfield in Britain
1877: First Wimbledon Championships
1881: US Open founded; United States National Lawn Tennis Association established
1891: French Open founded
1905: Australian Open founded
1913: ITF founded
1968: Open Era begins
1988: Tennis back in Olympics