The first Monday of March is universally recognized as World Tennis Day, a day dedicated to honoring and amplifying the allure and healthful advantages of the sport of tennis. It’s a day that invites everyone, irrespective of their age, background, or proficiency level, to grab a tennis racquet and experience the thrill of this dynamic sport. A plethora of activities, including tournaments, coaching sessions, and friendly games, are held on this day.
World Tennis Day aims to nurture a deep-seated passion for the sport, motivating individuals worldwide to explore the social, physical, and psychological benefits that tennis offers.
History of World Tennis Day
In 2013, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and StarGames inaugurated World Tennis Day. This day, observed every year on the first Monday of March, was established with the purpose of endorsing the sport of tennis and boosting its participation worldwide. The day is marked by an array of global and community-driven ventures, including competitive events, matches, and fun-filled activities intended to bolster the sport’s popularity.
When World Tennis Day was initially observed, it was celebrated in key cities like New York, Hong Kong, and London. These cities hosted exhibitions with leading ATP and WTA players, and these events were covered globally to encourage and inspire people of all age groups to engage with the sport.
By 2018, over 100 countries were participating in World Tennis Day celebrations. The festivities extended beyond communities and schools, with participation from families and even top-tier tennis players showing their support over social media. The day has seen an immense growth since its launch, including the formation of a Global Tennis Foundation to disseminate the sport on an international scale.
The annual celebration of World Tennis Day serves as a reminder of the health benefits and enjoyment that the sport offers. As a worldwide event, it seeks to stimulate interest in the sport for a younger generation of potential players and enthusiasts.
World Tennis Day Timeline
Invention of Lawn Tennis
Major Walter Wingfield patented a similar game in Britain, which he called 'Sphairistike.' This is widely considered to be the birth of modern lawn tennis.
International Tennis Federation Founded
The ITF, originally the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF), was established, governing the rules of the sport and overseeing international competition.
Start of the Open Era
The Open era begins, allowing professionals to compete in Grand Slam tournaments. This marked a major milestone in the history of tennis.
Tennis Becomes Olympic Sport
Tennis becomes a full medal sport at the Seoul Olympic Games.
Inauguration of World Tennis Day
The first annual World Tennis Day takes place, featuring a variety of events worldwide with the aim of promoting the sport and increasing participation.
Ideas to Celebrate World Tennis Day
Hosting a Tennis Tournament
Organize a friendly tennis tournament at your local club, school, or community center. Invite friends, family, and tennis enthusiasts to participate, making sure to incorporate different skill levels.
Tennis Lessons
Offer free tennis lessons or hold a mini-tennis clinic to encourage more people to take up the sport. This could be for local children, adults, or anyone interested in learning the basics of tennis.
Tennis Trivia Night
Host a tennis-themed trivia night centered around the history, rules, and famous figures of tennis. It can be a fun, educational way to celebrate World Tennis Day.
Tennis Movie Marathon
Plan a movie night featuring tennis-themed movies. Some popular options include 'Wimbledon', 'Battle of the Sexes', and 'Borg vs McEnroe'.
Promote Tennis On Social Media
Show your love for tennis by sharing photos, videos or posts related to tennis. Use popular tennis hashtags or create your own to spread awareness about this sport on World Tennis Day.
8 Interesting Facts About Tennis
Longest Match in Tennis History
The longest tennis match ever recorded took place at Wimbledon in 2010 between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut. The match spanned three days and took a total of 11 hours and 5 minutes to complete.
The Interesting Name of 'Love'
The term ‘love’ in Tennis means zero. The origin of this term remains disputed. One theory suggests it comes from the French word for egg 'l'oeuf' since an egg looks like zero.
Tennis Court Size
A tennis court measures 78 feet (23.77m) in length. The width depends on whether it’s a single or a double match being played; 27 feet (8.23m) for singles and 36 feet (10.97m) for doubles.
Tennis Balls
Tennis balls were originally white. The yellow color was introduced in 1972 to make the balls more visible for TV viewers.
Fastest Serve Ever
The fastest serve in men's tennis was hit by Sam Groth at 263.0 km/h (163.4 mph) in 2012. And for women's tennis, it was Georgina García Pérez with a speed of 220 km/h (136.7 mph) in 2018.
Importance of 1877
This is the year where Wimbledon was founded. It is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is considered the most prestigious.
Tennis Racquets Evolution
Early tennis racquets were made from solid wood. They only began to make racquets with a combination of wood and metal in the 1960s. Nowadays, most racquets are made from carbon fiber.
Tennis Olympics Comeback
After an absence of 64 years, Tennis returned as an Olympic sport in 1988.
World Tennis Day FAQs
Next World Tennis Day Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | March 6th | Monday |
| 2024 | March 4th | Monday |
| 2025 | March 3rd | Monday |
| 2026 | March 2nd | Monday |
| 2027 | March 1st | Monday |
| What is the pattern? | First Monday of March | |
World Tennis Day Word Search
- Tennis
- Wimbledon
- Net
- Tournament
- GrandSlam
- Umpire