Most historians believe that tennis originated in northern France in the 12th century, but the ball was then struck with the palm of the hand hence the name jeu de paume (“game of the palm”). It was not until the 16th century that rackets came into use, and the game began to be called “tennis.” The word “Tennis” came into use in English in the mid-13th century from an old french term Tenez, which can be translated as “hold!”, “receive!” or “take!”. n 1926, promoter C.C. Pyle established the first professional tennis tour with a group of American and French tennis players playing exhibition matches to paying audiences.The most notable of these early professionals were the American Vinnie Richards and the Frenchwoman Suzanne Lenglen. Once a player turned pro he or she could not compete in the major (amateur) tournaments or the grandslams. The Open Era of tennis began in 1968, when most world-class tournaments first allowed professional players as well as amateurs to enter. Prior to the Open Era, only amateurs could enter the world’s most prestigious tournaments, including the Grand Slams, leaving many of the top players of the day out of the competition. The distinction between professionals and amateurs had long been artificial and unfair, because many amateurs were receiving substantial compensation under the table. Once the governing bodies of tennis saw the light and allowed open competition, almost all of the top players became professionals. The quality of the major tournaments, the popularity of tennis, and the prize money for the players all surged strongly in response to the new Open Era rules. M Major Tournaments The four majors or the the Grand Slam tournaments, the biggest tournaments in tennis are the Australian Open, the French Open, the Wimbledon and the US Open. Australian Open australian_open_logo_2011-1 The Australian Open is held annually over the last fortnight of january in Melbourne. Started in the year 1905, the tournament is choronologically first of the four grand slams. The tournament was last played on grass court in the year 1987 – since 1988 it is being played on hard courts. Venue – Melbourne Park, Melbourne The major court of the Australian Open is the Rod Laver Arena where all the finals take plac_50978571_gallreut766 Managed by Tennis Australia Earlier it was known as Australian Championships Prize Money (Singles) – $ 2,200,000 Tag Line – The Grand Slam of Asia Pacific Winner of most titles Men’s (Singles) before 1969 –Roy Emerson (6 times winner) Men’s Singles after 1968 - Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic (All of them have won 4 times) Women’s (Singles) before 1969 - Margaret Court ( 7 times winner) Women’s Singles after 1968 – Serena Williams (5 times winner) 2. French Open –51a2e24a290c8French Open The French Open, often referred to as Roland Garros ,named after the french aviator Ronald Garros. The tournament takes place over two weeks between late may and early june. Only Grand Slam held on Clay and ends the spring clay court season. Venue – Tennis Club de Paris at Stade Roland Garros, Paris Started in the year 1891 Primary Court where all the finals take place – Philippe Chatrier Court0,,12781~10933850,00 Prize Money (Singles) – € 1,500,000 Results 2013 Name of the trophies Men’s (Singles) – Coupe des Mosquetaires Women’s (Singles) – Coupe Suzanne Lenglen Winner of Most Titles Men’s Before 1968 – Henry Cochet (4 Titles) After 1967- Rafael Nadal – ( 8 Titles) Women’s Before 1968 – Suzanne Lenglen ( 6 Titles) After 1967- Chris Evert (7 Titles) 2013 Winners Men’s – Rafael Nadal Women’s – Serena Williams 3. Wimbledon –download (1) It is the oldest Tennis Tournament in the World (Grass/Outdoor) Classified under Gentlemen and Ladies Category Started in the year 1877 It is the only major played on grass. Venue – All England Tennis Lawn and Croquet Club, London – this club was established in the year 1868 Prize Money (Singles) – £ 1,600,000 Dark green and purple are the traditional Wimbledon colours. However, all tennis players participating in the tournament are required to wear all-white or at least almost all-white clothing, a long-time tradition at Wimbledon. Primary court is called the Centre Court.TENNIS-ENG-WIMBLEDON-CENTRE-COURT WInner of Most Titles Men’s Before 1968 – William Renshaw (7 Titles) After 1967 – Pete Sampras and Roger Federer (7 Titles) Women’s – Before 1968 – Helen Wills (8 Titles) After 1967 – Martina Navratilova (9 Titles) Winners 2013 Men’s – Andy Murray Ladies’s – Marion Bartoli 4. U.S. Open US-OPEN Fourth Glad Slam ( Hard Court) Earlier it was known as United States Open Tennis Championships Hard Court Tennis Tournament Venue – USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, New York – was renamed in the year 2006 in the honour of Billie Jean King First Contested in the year 1881 - all the National Tennis competitions were merged in the year (Men’s-Singles, Doubles, Women’s – Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles) 1968 and since then it has been called “U.S. Open” The US Open has tiebreaks in every set, including the last set. The other three Grand Slam tournaments have tiebreaks in every set other than the last set (i.e. the fifth set for men and third set for women), and therefore their last set continues indefinitely until a two-game lead is reached. Primary Court is the Arther Ashe stadium. Prize Money (Winner) for Singles – 1,900,000 $ Winner of Most Titles Men’s Before 1968 – Richard Sears. Bill Laden and Bill Tilden (7 Titles) After 1967 – Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer (5 Titles) Women’s Before 1968 - Molla Bjurstedt Mallory (8Titles) After 1967- Chris Evert (6 Titles) 2013 Winners Men’s – Rafael Nadal Women’s – Serena Williams Important Players Men’s - Roger Federer – Winner of 17 Grand Slams. The most by any player. He has won 4 Australian Opens, 1 French Open, 7 Wimbledons and 5 US Opens. He is from Switzerland. He has the record for being the World Number 1 for most weeks i.e. 302. He is widely regarded as the Greatest Player of All TIme and he is still playing the sport at the age of 32.roger-federer Roger Federer after winning the 2010 Australian Open Pete Sampras – Winner of 14 Grand Slams. Two Australian Opens, 7 Wimbledons and 5 US Opens. He was never able to win the French Open. He is from U.S.A. Before Roger Federer he held the record for most number of weeks as the World Number Rafael Nadal – Winner of 13 Grand Slams. One Australian Open, 8 French Opens, 2 Wimbledons and 2 US Opens. He is youngest player ever to complete a “Career Slam”( to win all the 4 Grand Slams) and the “Career Golden Slam”( winning the Olympic Gold Medal along with the Grand Slams) . He holds the record for winning any Grand Slam 8 times. He is the widely regarded as the Greatest Clay Court Player Of All Time. He is Spain. M_Id_418548_Rafael_Nadal Rafael Nadal after winning the 2013 US Open Bjorn Borg – Winner of 11 Grand Slams. He holds the record for winning 5 consecutive wimbledons and 4 consecutive French Opens. He is from Sweden. [There was question in CLAT 2010 on Bjorn Borgs nationality] Andre Aggasi – Winner of 8 Grand Slams. He has completed the “Career Golden Slam” by winning the Olympic Gold during 1996 Altanta Olympics. He is from USA. Novak Djokovic – Winner of 6 Grand Slams. He is the Current World Number 1 and holds the record for winning the Australian Open 4 times. The previous three Australian Opens have been won by him and which again is a record.t1larg.djokovic Novak Djokovic He is from Serbia. Andy Murray – He has won only 2 Grand Slams but recently at the 2013 Wimbledon he became the first Briton since 1936 to win a Wimbledon. In the final he defeated Novak Djokovic. Murray is from Scotland. He also won the 2012 Olympic Gold in London.andy_murray_wimbledon_win_-_h_-_2013 Andy Murray after winning the 2013 Wimbledon Women’s Margaret Court – She holds the record for most number of Grand Slam titles i.e. 24. She is from Australia. Steffi Graf- She won 22 Grand Slams in total and holds the record for winning 5 consecutive Grand Slams(from Australian Open 1988 to Australian Open 1989). She is from Germany. She is married to Andre Aggasi.495990_crop_650x440 Steffi Graf Chris Evert – Winner of 18 Grand Slams. She is from United States. Martina Navratilova – Winner of 18 Grand Slams Singles, 31 doubles and 10 mixed doubles titles. She is from USA. Serena Williams – Winner of 17 Grand Slams. Williams is the current World Number 1 and won French Open and the US Open in 2013. She is from USA.AJ19O Serena Wiliams after winning the 2012 Wimbledon
Posted on: Mon, 28 Apr 2014 11:10:22 +0000
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