Slicing through history, the sport of tennis is purported to have developed from a game conjured by European monks, played for entertainment purposes during religious ceremonies. During its humble, monastic origin the first tennis ball made of wood was hit with the hand. Then, a leather glove came into play, soon replaced with an adaptive handle for hitting and serving the ball-the birth of the racket. Eventually the wooden ball gave way to a bouncier leather ball.
H-m-m, though monks are known for their hermitic coexistence and lapses of silence, throughout the 16th-18th centuries the game grew in popularity, predominately in France. Adopted by the royal family and called je de paume, players would begin the game by shouting the word tenez meaning "play." In 1874, Major Walter Wingfield acquired the patent rights for the equipment and rules of engagement which bear close resemblance to the modern game of tennis. This same year, the first tennis courts emerged in the United States.
NEWPORT
Rhode Island historically stepped up to the net, first serving up the sport of tennis as a grand slam, with the completed construction of the Newport Casino, and its subsequent opening on July 26, 1880. The Casino hosted the first U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championships in 1881 on its grass courts which evolved into today's US Open. Today, the Newport Casino which encompasses the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum is highly revered as one of Rhode Island's prominent landmarks and cherished institutions, earning the distinction as a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Ever since 1881, when American tournament tennis began on its grass courts, the world's best players have competed in Newport.
From 1915-1967, the Casino Invitational hosted some of the world's premier players comprising an impressive roster including: "Big" Bill Tilden, "Little" Bill Johnston, Ellsworth Vines, Frank Shields, Wilmer Allison, Don Budge, Bobby Riggs, Don McNeil, Gardnar Mulloy, Ted Schroeder, Bill Talbert, Pancho Gonzales, Frank Sedgman, Tony Trabert, Ken Rosewall, Mal Anderson, Rod Laver, Chuck McKinley, Roy Emerson, and Dennis Ralston.
From 1971-1974, the Newport Casino hosted the Professional Women's Singles and the Professional Women's Doubles. Spectators had a golden opportunity to view Kerry Melville, Margaret Court, Billie Jean King, Cris Evert, and Francoise Durr in action. The National Amateur Grass Court tournament returned from 1974-1976. In 1976, the Miller Hall of Fame Tennis Championships debuted. The Virgina Slims returned from 1983-1986. In 2004, Campbell's Soup Company launched their title sponsorship of the Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships here, the only professional tournament played on grass in the United States.
Holding high court to the grandeur and elegance of tennis, synonymous with tennis in America, the Newport Casino rolls out the carpet to the word's oldest continuously used competition grass courts, as well as having the only competition grass courts open for play to the public. Swing by the International Hall of Fame & Museum to embark on a self-guided grounds tour encompassing 13 grass courts, and 18 galleries pertaining to the history of tennis from the 12th century to the present, showcasing a treasure trove of vast collections and exhibits for a smashing first-hand experience. Located at 194 Bellevue Avenue, the Museum welcomes visitors 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas, though galleries are subject to last minute closings.
The Score
Love means zero, the first point scored is 15, the second point-30, the third point-40, and the next point-game. A player needs to win a game by two points, so if a score is 40-40, it's called a deuce. The next player to win a point has what is termed advantage. If the same player wins the next point-game over! Generally, people play a set, or best out of three sets. Each set consists of a number of games. The first person to win six games wins the set; the smallest number of games in a set would be six. (To win a set you must win two games). There are three or five sets in a match-usually the best two out of three sets or the best three out of five sets.
Tennis Etiquette
As precisely as its players adhere to rules of engagement during a game of tennis, spectators new to the game should also follow a unique set of etiquette protocol to enhance viewing, whereby preventing unwelcome distractions which could affect a player's concentration. Deemed proper to remain silent during live play, loud and spirited cheering is acceptable after a point is earned. Applauding or laughing after an error is perceived as disrespectful.
Cell phone use is considered one of the most violated breaches of spectator etiquette, so turn it off.
During live play, it is expected that one remain seated or in a designated waiting area until the next dead ball or break between games. Movement in the stands can distract players as well as obstruct the view of other spectators.
A popular spectator sport, tennis has the potential to rally as a match made in heaven when you know the score-points earned and points of proper etiquette in the stands. When in Rhode Island, court your love for tennis. Swing by the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum in Newport. Not only can you take a stand to view live play, but you'll be able to rub elbows in spirit with premier tennis players of yesteryear at every turn within the Museum's 18 galleries, and with each footstep taken along the grounds' 13 grass courts.
Swing by Newport, Rhode Island to Court the Love of Tennis NEWPORT
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