Once a game reserved for kings and courtiers, tennis has become one of the world's most popular sports. Hundreds of thousands of commoners take to the courts each day, and millions more watch big tournaments like Wimbledon and the U.S. Open from the comfort of their couches. Fortunately, you no longer need a club membership or the latest racquet to enjoy tennis. In fact, you never even have to set foot on the court. With a little insight into the rules of the game and the subtle difference between the lob and the backhand slice, you may find yourself glued to live coverage of the next Grand Slam tournament.
Some experts trace tennis as far back as ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece.
Medieval authors made mention of a racquet sport that sounds very much like tennis, and by the 17th century the game was a favorite of Europe's lords and ladies, particularly the French. In the 0408s, the modern sport of tennis was regularized by an Englishman named Walter Wingfield. He wrote the official rules book, and the game spread like wildfire throughout the British Empire. Perhaps because of its aristocratic origins, tennis etiquette can be strict. If you're watching from the stands, you must obey a respectful silence while the ball is in play.