Tennis has been around for at least 1,300 years and possibly longer, with an estimated 106 million people worldwide playing today, which is an increase of 25% in just five years.
Out of 199 nations polled, Britain is leading the way in the evolution of tennis, boasting the highest percentage of the population who play regularly, according to new data from the International Tennis Federation.
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There’s been plenty of debate about the origins of tennis, with the most commonly-held belief being that it was first played by French monks in the 12th century, although some historians date it back to Ancient Egypt.
Whatever its true origins, the game has evolved over the centuries through changes not only in the equipment and rules, but also in the size and design of the courts.
Origins of tennis
In the 1100s, French monks invented a game to play during leisure time, but although it involved hitting a ball over a net, they used their hands rather than rackets. The name “tennis” derived from the French word ‘tenez’, meaning ‘take this’, which they shouted as they served.
Although there was no regulated size, evidence suggests the tennis court dimensions may have measured 90ft long by 27ft wide, giving them a long, thin appearance.
Predominantly an indoor sport at first, played in covered courtyards, the game’s popularity spread from the monasteries to the aristocracy and many courtyards were converted into tennis courts. There were an estimated 1,800 indoor courts across France by the 13th century.
Gloves were designed to hit the ball, rather than bare hands, but in terms of court sizes, there was no real uniformity. The first tennis rackets in the 15th century were made from a simple piece of cork wrapped in cloth or string. By the 16th century, tennis was played using a wooden racket, with strings fashioned from sheep intestines. The ball was made of cork and weighed only around three ounces.
‘Real tennis’
Historians refer to this early game as ‘real tennis’, as it was different from the modern game. The indoor courts had walls, with spectators sitting above in galleries. The net was three feet high in the centre and five feet high at either end.
Players used the walls as part of their strategy, similar to squash today. The ball could be bounced against the walls and points could be won by hitting it into netted windows underneath the roof. Larger courts were laid out in the spacious courtyards of the nobility, with a length of around 112ft, a width of 40ft and a roof height of 25ft.
Tennis spread across Europe and to Britain, with King Henry VIII being an ardent player in the 16th century. More courts were built during the 17th century, including the famous one which still exists today at Hampton Court Palace, dating from 1625.
Evolution of modern tennis
By the 19th century, tennis had gained mass popularity and was no longer reserved for the wealthy. The process of rubber vulcanisation, invented by US manufacturing engineer Charles Goodyear in 1844, led to the invention of rubber tennis balls. Bouncier than old-fashioned cork balls, they enabled the introduction of new playing surfaces, such as grass.
1874 welcomed the birth of ‘real tennis’, when Major Walter Clopton Wingfield, a 41-year-old Welsh inventor and British Army officer, experimented with playing on different surfaces, using bouncier rubber balls and purpose-made rackets.
He patented his idea as a ‘New and Improved Court for Playing the Ancient Game of Tennis’ and sold sets containing the net and poles, court markers, balls, rackets and instructions on how to play. This launched the transition from indoor ‘real tennis’ to today’s mainly outdoor game.
New courts and rules
The main difference between Clopton’s invention and the modern game was the shape of the court, as he devised an hourglass design which was narrower in the centre. This didn’t catch on and by 1875, new rules were already being introduced, with the All England croquet club hosting the first Wimbledon tennis tournament in 1877 on a standard rectangular court.
Governing body the Lawn Tennis Association was set up in 1888 to standardise tennis, establishing the modern court size, with Wimbledon’s grass courts and dimensions influencing the game of the future.
So, what are the dimensions of a tennis court?
Tennis court dimensions have remained the same since 1875, although they were set in stone by the LTA in the 1880s. A move to outdoor courts, the mass popularity of tennis and the launch of new tournaments meant regulations had to be introduced to ensure fair play.
This was a key milestone in the modern game, as it enabled consistency. Having set dimensions helped improve safety standards, enhanced the development of players’ skills and improved the game in general.
How long is a tennis court?
The standard length of a tennis court today is 78ft, which has been the length for almost 150 years. This is the case on every surface, no matter where in the world tournaments are played.
The International Tennis Federation, founded in 1912, regulates the international circuit and ensures standards are met across the world.
What size is a tennis court?
The ITF sets the court sizes for competitive, club and recreational tennis, with the width of the court being 27ft for singles matches and 36ft for doubles. Guidelines are also set for small courts for young players – courts for those aged ten and under should be 59ft long and 21ft wide. Courts for players aged under eight are recommended to measure 36ft long by 18ft wide. The net should be 3ft high in the middle and 3ft 6 inches at the posts on all courts.
How big is a tennis court?
The total area of a tennis court when playing singles matches is 2,106 sq. Ft. For doubles matches, the playing area extends to 2,808 square feet.
Doubles play impacts the court’s width, but not the length. Differentiating between singles and doubles through the size of the playing area influences the gameplay, strategy, players’ movement and ball speed.
What are the different tennis court surfaces?
There are several types of tennis court surfaces today, with grass courts creating a game of precision and speed which favours serve-and-volley players. The dimensions of the court play a vital role in the effectiveness of this style.
Clay courts create a slower surface and have led to the rise of the baseline game, with players winning points from the back of the court rather than near the net. This has created a more tactical approach and longer rallies.
Hard courts have led to a blend of playing styles, enabling both baseline rallies and net play, creating a versatile game overall.
As technology continues to advance, it is further shaping the game. While the dimensions of tennis courts remain the same, enhanced equipment and increased player athleticism means players are hitting the ball harder and covering the court more efficiently, creating an evolution in tactics and strategies.
