Development Of Lawn Tennis

Question 1

History of lawn tennis

Answer 1

~ Originally called ‘sphairistike’ and played on an hourglass shaped court before its name and court shape were replace
~ A middle class invention - wanted to be like the upper class and play Real Tennis
~ They devised their own version which suited their middle class suburban housing with lawned gardens
~ Walls and hedges ensured privacy from the lower classes who were initially excluded from the game

Question 2

Key features of lawn tennis

Answer 2

~ Middle class invention
~ Played by the middle class
~ Organised by the middle class
~ Use of specialist equipment
~ Use of standardised rules
~ Played by males and females - sociable
~ Public provision - eventually spread to the working class via public parks

Question 3

National governing body

Answer 3

~ In 1877 the All England Croquet Club had been renamed the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club.
~ As a rational sporting activity mainly for the middle class, lawn tennis was first introduced at Wimbledon in 1877.

Question 4

Female participation in lawn tennis

Answer 4

~ Lawn tennis was viewed as an important activity in the emancipation of women.
~ Female participation was first allowed in 1884, helping to overcome suppression and negative stereotypes.
~ Positive female role models inspired participation e.g.
~ Lottie Dod who won 5 ladies singles titles in the late 19th century.
~ Miss Maude Watson - first female winner of Wimbledon.

Question 5

Why could women play tennis

Answer 5

~ it could played in the seclusion and privacy of their own gardens.
~ Women could play the game as a minimum exercise activity dressed in a modest and reserved way, bodies fully covered by high necked, long sleeved dresses.
~ As lawn tennis wasn’t too vigorous women were not expected to sweat which was seen as unladylike.
~ They could play the game with both male and females as part of social gatherings and to improve their health

Question 6

Emergence of elite tennis players in modern day

Answer 6

~ WTA - global leader in women’s professional sport.
~ Women developed their own professional circuit away from the men - groundbreaking opportunities to play at the top level, earning millions of pounds through tournament earnings and sponsorship deals.
~ Creates lots of role models, as well as large sponsorship deals, continue in the early twenty-first century via worldwide media coverage of women’s elite tennis tournament.

Question 7

Inequalities for tennis

Answer 7

~ Distinct inequalities between prize money for men and women.
~ In 1968 - Rod Laver got £2000 for winning whereas Billy Jean King got £750.
~ Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) fought for equal recognition and prize money.
~ Equality was achieved in 2007, with both winners getting £700,000

Question 8

Development of modern day lawn tennis

Answer 8

~ Modern day tennis spread around the world - tournaments in USA, Australia and France. Four majors including Wimbledon.
~ Professional tours were established from 1920’s - however the four majors remained Amateur competitions.

Question 9

Open era

Answer 9

~ In 1968 commercial pressures and rumours spread that some amateurs were taking money illegally. Known colloquially as Shamateurism
~ This led to the abandonment of the distinction between amateur and professionals.
~ Inaugurating the ‘open era’ in which all players could compete in all tournaments.

Question 10

What was tennis originally called

Answer 10

Spharistike