While evidence is sparse, the game of tennis is believed to date back thousands of years. More evidence emerges from around 10th century, when French monks began playing a crude courtyard ball game. This sport, played against their monastery walls or over a rope hung across a courtyard, took on the name je de paume – meeting ‘game of the hand.’ According to this theory, the word ‘tennis’ was coined by these monks, who would shout the word ‘tenez’, the French for ‘to take’, while they served the ball.

Over the next few centuries, the game grew in popularity and was played by the nobility throughout Europe. Some records claim that by the 13th century there were as many as 1,800 indoor courts. It became so popular that several members of the Church, including the Pope, as well as King Louis IV, tried to ban the game but failed.

Tennis started to develop into a professional sport from 1872, when the first lawn tennis club was established. In 1873 Major Walter Wingfield invented a version of Real Tennis that can be played outdoors on a lawn and called it ‘Sphairistike’ (Greek for "playing ball") and first introduced it to Wales. It was played on hour-glass courts on Manor House lawns by rich English people. The first world championship was held in Wimbledon, London in 1877. The sponsors were the All England Croquet Club. Only 22 players entered the Mens Singles, which was the only event. Spectators paid just one shilling to watch the finals. The first winner of this mens event was Spencer Gore.

The recent amazing win by British female Emma Raducanu in the US Open actually began life in 1881 in America, with women being able to take part from 1887.

Fun Facts about Tennis

1 - Before tennis players used rackets, people would use the palm of their hands to hit the ball back and forth over the net. Ouch!

2 - Before yellow tennis balls, they were white.

3 - The origin of the tennis term “love” is unknown.

4 - During a match, a player on average runs 3 miles.

5 - Venus and Serena Williams were the first ever set of sisters to win Olympic gold medals in tennis.

6 - Every year, 24 tons of Kent strawberries are ordered for the Championships at Wimbledon.

7 - Wimbledon is the only major tennis tournament still played on grass.

8 - The first women to play in the Wimbledon tournament wore full length dresses.

Ashby Castle Lawn Tennis Club is a friendly, vibrant club with a large membership, widely ranging in age, ability and background. They have seven floodlit all weather courts, a resident coach and a modern clubhouse with a licensed bar. The clubhouse balcony affords pleasant views across the Bath Grounds to the countryside beyond and near the eastern boundary of the courts the mighty Hastings tower rises from the ruins of Ashby Castle.

So, if the recent US Open win has inspired you to have a go at Tennis, come along to the club or email secretary.acltc@yahoo.co.uk.

There are a wide range of membership options available. Just contact Ashby Castle Lawn Tennis Club, adjacent to Ashby Castle, off South Street, Ashby.