Tennis, as it is recognized today, has an extensive history dating back to France in the 11th century, with its predecessor being the “jeu de paume,” or “game of the hand,” played in a monastery courtyard. The sport gained popularity in 19th-century England and eventually led to the establishment of the International Tennis Federation in 1913, marking the beginning of a global federation for the sport.
Regarding Olympic tennis, the events include men’s and women’s singles, as well as men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles. The singles matches are played in a best-of-three sets format, with a standard tie-break in every set, including the final set.
The history of tennis at the Olympic Games has been tumultuous. Tennis first appeared at the initial modern Olympiad in 1896 in Athens but was subsequently removed from the program following the 1924 Olympic Games due to disputes over the definition of amateur players. It reappeared as a demonstration event at the Mexico 1968 and Los Angeles 1984 Olympics before being reinstated as a full medal sport at the Seoul 1988 Games. Since then, the world’s greatest tennis players have competed at each edition of the Games, with notable athletes such as Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and Venus Williams achieving gold medals.
With its extensive and diverse history, tennis has become an integral part of the Olympic Games, attracting top talent and drawing audiences from across the globe.
As we anticipate the Paris 2024 Olympics, the excitement for a dazzling display of tennis talent is already mounting. The event promises to bring together the finest athletes from around the world to compete for gold, with the sport’s rich history and tradition on full display.
The Precursor
The precursor to modern tennis was the “jeu de paume,” or “game of the hand,” which originated in France in the 11th century. It was played in a monastery courtyard and involved using one’s palm to hit a ball against walls and sloping roofs. Tennis, as we recognize it today, was developed in 19th-century England. As the sport’s increasing popularity overshadowed that of croquet, the All England Croquet Club decided to allow its lawns to be used for tennis. Several national federations were established throughout the world during the 19th century, culminating in the birth of the International Lawn Tennis Federation—now known as the International Tennis Federation—in 1913.
Overview of the rules
Olympic tennis comprises events in men’s and women’s singles, and men’s, women’s and mixed doubles. Singles matches are played to the best of three sets with a standard tie-break in every set, including the final set.
Olympic history
Tennis has been contested in sporadic fashion throughout Olympic Games history. It first featured at the initial modern Olympiad in Athens in 1896, but was withdrawn from the program after the 1924 Olympic Games due to disputes between the International Lawn Tennis Federation and the International Olympic Committee over how to define amateur players. Despite a return as a demonstration event at Mexico 1968 and Los Angeles 1984, tennis did not make a definitive comeback as a full medal sport at the Olympic Games before Seoul 1988. Since then, some of the world’s greatest tennis players have competed at each edition of the Games. In recent years, the gold medal has been taken home by several superstars, including Rafael Nadal, Olympic champion in the singles event in 2008 and doubles in 2016; Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer, Olympic doubles champions in 2008; and Serena and Venus Williams, who have won eight Olympic titles between them.