Games that use a type of ball and racquet actually date back to Neolithic times, and there’s plenty of historical evidence to suggest that Ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks played a version of tennis. However, the modern sport of tennis that we know and love today was invented by French Monks in the 11th Century.

Monks would play the game on a court, but initially used their hands to bat the ball. As the game evolved, a form of racquet was introduced, and by the 1500s racquets resembled something very close to what we know as a modern tennis racquet today. The game caught on in England, and Henry VIII was said to be a huge fan.

Outdoor tennis, however, didn’t come along until the 1850’s, when the invention of vulcanised rubber meant that the balls were tougher and could be hit outside. In 1877, the former All England Croquet Club held its first tennis tournament at Wimbledon and the rules were almost the same as the ones we use today; however, serves were strictly underhand only.

It’s unclear where the scoring system (love, 15, 30, 40, deuce, adv) came from, but most people agree that it originated in France. Some think it came from medieval numerology (where the number 60 had certain significance) and others believe that it was invented to match the face of a clock.

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