Overview
Tennis is a racket sport played individually (singles) or in pairs (doubles) on a rectangular court divided by a net. Players use rackets to hit a rubber ball over the net, with points won when the opponent cannot return the ball within the court.
The four Grand Slams — Wimbledon, Roland Garros, the Australian Open, and the US Open — are the sport's most prestigious events, and the pursuit of Grand Slam titles defines tennis greatness. The Big Three (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic) have won 65 Grand Slams between them.
Tennis has produced extraordinary athletes, characters, and moments. From Borg-McEnroe to Federer-Nadal-Djokovic, its rivalries are among sport's greatest stories.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- France / England
- Birthplace
- England (modern form: 1873)
- Founded
- 1873 (lawn tennis)
- Global Fans
- 1 billion
History & Evolution
Jeu de Paume (Real Tennis)
An ancient ball game played with the palm of the hand in French monasteries. It evolves into "real tennis" (court tennis), still played today.
Lawn Tennis Invented
Major Walter Clopton Wingfield patents a version of lawn tennis called "Sphairistikè", the immediate precursor to modern tennis.
First Wimbledon
The first Wimbledon Championships are held at the All England Club, making it the world's oldest tennis tournament. Spencer Gore wins the inaugural title.
The Open Era Begins
Professional players are allowed to compete in Grand Slams from 1968, marking the start of the "Open Era" of tennis. Rod Laver completes the Grand Slam in 1969.
Borg, McEnroe, Connors
Björn Borg wins 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles. His rivalry with John McEnroe becomes the sport's most compelling storyline of the era.
The Federer Phenomenon
Roger Federer wins 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles and reaches 23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals. He is widely regarded as the most complete player ever.
The Big Three Domination
Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic collectively win 20 consecutive Grand Slams at one point, combining for 65 major titles and redefining what's possible in tennis.
Famous Moments
Borg vs McEnroe — Wimbledon
Bjorn Borg defeated John McEnroe 8-6 in the fourth-set tiebreak (18-16) in what's considered the greatest Wimbledon final ever.
Federer vs Nadal — Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer's 5-year Wimbledon reign in a match often called the greatest tennis match ever played, winning in 5 sets as darkness fell.
Djokovic Saves Two Match Points
Novak Djokovic saved two championship points to defeat Roger Federer at Wimbledon, becoming just the second man to do so in a Grand Slam final.
Legendary Athletes
All athletesRoger Federer
Roger Federer was born in Basel, Switzerland, to a Swiss father and South African mother. His natura...
★ 20 Grand Slam titles
Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal Parera was born in Manacor, Mallorca, Spain. His uncle Toni Nadal, a professional tenni...
★ 22 Grand Slam titles
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic was born in Belgrade, then part of Yugoslavia, into a family that ran a fast food and...
★ 24 Grand Slam titles (most in men's history)
Serena Williams
Serena Jameka Williams was born in Saginaw, Michigan, the youngest of five daughters. Her father Ric...
★ 23 Grand Slam singles titles (most in Open Era)
Top Leagues
ATP Tour
GlobalThe Association of Tennis Professionals organizes the men's professional circuit across 65+ tournaments in 30+ countries.
WTA Tour
GlobalThe Women's Tennis Association Tour features 50+ tournaments globally. Billie Jean King was instrumental in founding it to achieve pay equity.
Major Tournaments
Wimbledon
AnnualFirst held: 1877 · £50 million prize fund
The oldest and most prestigious Grand Slam, played on grass courts in London. The only Grand Slam where players must wear white.
French Open (Roland Garros)
AnnualFirst held: 1891 · €53.5 million prize fund
The only Grand Slam on clay, held in Paris. Rafael Nadal's 14 titles there make him statistically the greatest ever on a single surface.
US Open
AnnualFirst held: 1881 · $65 million prize fund
The final Grand Slam of the year, held in Flushing Meadows, New York. Known for night sessions and the loudest, most energetic crowds.
Australian Open
AnnualFirst held: 1905 · AU$86.5 million prize fund
The first Grand Slam of the year, played in Melbourne on hard courts. Known as the "Happy Slam" for its festive atmosphere.
Records & Milestones
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Most Grand Slam Titles (Men) | 24 titles |
| Most Grand Slam Titles (Women) | 23 titles |
| Most Wimbledon Titles (Men) | 8 titles |
| Most French Open Titles | 14 titles |
| Fastest Serve | 263.4 km/h |
| Longest Match Ever | 11 hours 5 minutes |
How Tennis Works
Tennis is played between two players (singles) or four players (doubles) on a rectangular court. Players use rackets to hit a ball over a net, scoring points when the opponent cannot return it in bounds.
How It Works
- 1A match is divided into sets, and sets into games
- 2To win a game, you must win 4 points (15, 30, 40, game) with a 2-point lead (deuce/advantage if tied at 40)
- 3To win a set, win 6 games with a 2-game lead (or win a tie-break at 6-6)
- 4To win a match, win best of 3 sets (or best of 5 in men's Grand Slams)
- 5Points are won by landing the ball in bounds when the opponent cannot return it
Scoring
Points: 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, game. At 40-40 (deuce), a player must win two consecutive points (advantage, then game). Set: first to 6 games (with 2 clear, or a tie-break). Match: best of 3 or 5 sets.
Equipment Needed
- Tennis racket
- Tennis balls (yellow-green felt)
- Tennis shoes (court-specific sole)
- Athletic outfit
- Grip tape/overgrip
- Tennis bag
Key Terms Explained
Common Questions
What is the difference between grass, clay, and hard courts?
Grass is fastest (low bounce, suits serve-and-volley), clay is slowest (high bounce, suits baseline rallying), and hard courts are in between (more consistent bounce).
What is a Grand Slam?
The four majors: Australian Open (January), French Open (May-June), Wimbledon (June-July), and US Open (August-September). Winning all four in one year is a Calendar Grand Slam — extremely rare.
What does "deuce" mean?
Deuce means both players have won 3 points (40-40). From deuce, a player must win two consecutive points to win the game — first scoring is "advantage", then "game".
Fun Facts
The term "love" for zero likely comes from the French word "l'oeuf" (egg), referring to the egg shape of a zero.
Tennis balls were originally white. Yellow balls were introduced in 1972 after they proved more visible on TV.
Rafael Nadal has a routine of placing his water bottles in a precise order before every point he plays.
Wimbledon still requires players to wear predominantly white — a tradition since 1877.
John McEnroe was fined $17,500 for misconduct at Wimbledon in 1987.