Tennis was a favorite pastime of the French monarchy, and King Henry VIII of England was particularly fond of the game. He built several tennis courts, including one at Hampton Court Palace, which still exists today. In fact, the palace's tennis court is still used for tournaments and is a popular tourist attraction.
The game spread like wildfire throughout Europe, and by the 18th century, it had reached the shores of England. The English twisted the game to suit their own style, introducing rackets and balls made of leather. The game became a sensation among the English aristocracy, with Wimbledon hosting its first tournament in 1877.
The History of Tennis timeline | Timetoast timelines
But here's the thing: tennis wasn't always the posh sport we know today. In fact, it was originally played by monks in French monasteries, who used to hit the ball back and forth in the cloisters. Who knew that men of the cloth were the original tennis aces?
