The origins of Wimbledon

138 years ago today, the very first tennis tournament between the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club took place. The grand prize was a 25-guinea trophy, and 21 amateurs turned up for the Gentlemen’s Singles tournament.

With French origins from a 13^th century game called jeu de paume “game of palm” Tennis was originally an indoor game, which became a lawn based sport in the 19^th century when it became popular.

The All England Club, was formed in 1868 on 4 acres of land outside London as a croquet and lawn sports club. But with the rising popularity of Tennis, it was quickly incorporated into the clubs events. In 1877 they published an advert calling for all amateur tennis players to join in with a tournament they where starting on the 9^th July 1877. This was the first Wimbledon tournament, or what was to grow into the Worlds most famous professional tennis tournament.

The club actual drew up all most all of the formal rules of tennis still used today, and created the professional sport we now know and love. Dr Henry Jones, lead the way creating these rules that still define the sport.

The first final was on Monday 16^th July 1877, however the match was rained out! A trend that has also carried on it seems. One the 19^th it finally took place, and 200 people turned up to watch the final between William Marshall from Cambridge and W. Spencer Gore an Old Harrovian racket player. Gore crushed Marshall, 6-1, 6-2,6-4.

Ladies singles did not come in until 1884 and mixed doubles in 1913, from the early 1990s the tournament became a world stage affair, Wimbledon struggled to retain its amateur appeal as Tennis became a more professional and competitive sport. 1968 was the first year, the Wimbledon we know invited professional to contest in a world champion competition.