Did you know that modern tennis has its roots in the “jeu de paume” (palm game) played in France during the Middle Ages, where the ball was hit with the hands? In this article, you’ll learn facts and details about the sport, as well as who the biggest names in tennis today are!
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Read on to find out who the biggest names in tennis today!
Biggest names in Tennis today: historical context
Before it was played with rackets, tennis has its roots in ancient games played with just the palms of the hands.
Historical evidence shows that from Ancient Egypt to 5th century Europe, different cultures played games with a ball and their hands.
A version more similar to modern tennis emerged in the 12th century in Italy and France, where monks played an adapted version in enclosed courtyards, delimiting playing areas.
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Tennis, as we know it today, went through many transformations until it reached its current rules and court dimensions. Initially adopted by the European aristocracy, tennis began to compete for space with another popular sport of the time: croquet.
This crossover is reflected in the name of the traditional British club All England Croquet, which later became All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, where the famous Wimbledon Tournament is currently held.
As the sport evolved, national bodies and an international federation were established. With the rules defined, the first tennis tournament was held in 1877 in England.
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The first great player to dominate the circuit was Britain’s W. Ravenshaw, who introduced the volley technique and won his first championship in 1881, going on to win titles for seven consecutive years.
Tennis made its debut at the Olympic Games in the first edition, in 1896 in Athens. Until 1924, the Olympic titles were predominantly won by the British, French and Americans.
However, the sport was removed from the Olympic program in Amsterdam-1928 and only returned in Seoul-1988.
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Since the Sydney-2000 Games, Olympic tennis has undergone a crucial change: the tournament started counting points towards the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) ranking, which attracted the world’s top players.
In recent editions, renowned tennis players have won Olympic gold, including Spain’s Rafael Nadal in Beijing-2008 and Britain’s Andy Murray in London-2012.
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Biggest names in Tennis today: rules
These are the essential rules of tennis, for both singles and doubles matches. Each tournament may have specific variations, especially in the format of sets and tie-break rules.
General rules
Court
- Dimensions: the tennis court is 23.77 meters long. The width is 8.23 meters for singles and 10.97 meters for doubles.
- Net: the net is 1.07 meters high at the ends and 0.91 meters in the middle.
Equipment
- Racquet: a regulation racquet must be used, with a maximum length of 73.66 cm.
- Ball: official tennis balls should be used, usually yellow or white.
Score
- Game: the score of a game is counted in four points: 15, 30, 40, and game. If both players reach 40, the score is called “deuce”. A player must win two consecutive points after the deuce to win the game.
- Set: a set is won by a player who wins six games with at least two games difference. If the set score reaches 6-6, a tiebreaker can be played.
- Match: matches can be played in best of three or best of five sets.
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Service
- Sequence: the service alternates between players for each game.
- Execution: the player must throw the ball and hit it so that it crosses the net and lands diagonally opposite the opponent’s side.
- Faults: A fault is declared if the ball does not land in the correct area or if the server commits a foot fault. Two consecutive faults result in a point for the opponent.
Side shift
- The players switch sides after every odd game during a set and at the end of each set.
Tiebreak
- Played when the score is 6-6 in games. The first player to reach seven points with at least two points difference wins the tiebreaker.
Specific variations
- Doubles game: involves four players, two on each team. The basic rules are the same, but the playing area includes the side corridor lanes.
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Infringements and penalties
Foot Fault
- The player steps on the baseline or inside the court before hitting the ball.
Let (Repeat Service)
- The service is repeated if the ball touches the net and lands in the correct service area.
Violation
- This includes actions such as racket breaking, unsportsmanlike behavior, etc. Penalties can range from warnings to loss of points or games.
Coaching
- Instructions from the coach during the game are prohibited.
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Arbitration system
Chair Referee
- Supervises the match and makes decisions in points disputes.
Line Judges
- They help determine whether the ball fell inside or outside the court lines.
Video feature
- In high-level tournaments, players can challenge decisions using video review technology (Hawk-Eye).
Modalities
- Simple: one on one.
- Doubles: two against two.
- Mixed Doubles: teams made up of one man and one woman.
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Biggest names in Tennis today (Men – World)
Carlos Alcaraz (Spain)
A young prodigy, Alcaraz has impressed the tennis world with his talent and recent achievements, including Grand Slam titles.
Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
Considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Djokovic has won numerous Grand Slam titles and is known for his consistency and skill on all surfaces.
Jannick Sinner (Italy)
The current number 1 of the new generation, Sinner is known for his solid style of play and has already won several major titles.
Biggest names in Tennis today (Women – World)
Iga Świątek (Poland)
Dominant on the circuit, Świątek is known for her versatility and exceptional skills on different surfaces, having already won multiple Grand Slam titles.
Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus)
Sabalenka has stood out for her strength and aggressiveness on the court, winning several titles and being a constant presence at the top of the world rankings.
Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan)
Rybakina has shown remarkable performance in international competitions, including victories in Grand Slam tournaments.
Biggest names in Tennis today (Men – Brazil)
Thiago Monteiro
Brazil’s current number one, Monteiro is known for his tenacity and has represented the country in several international competitions.
Felipe Meligeni Alves
Another Brazilian standout, Meligeni has shown consistency in ATP tournaments and is a promise for the future of Brazilian tennis.
Biggest names in Tennis today (Women – Brazil)
Beatriz Haddad Maia
Brazil’s leading female tennis player, Haddad Maia has achieved good results on the WTA circuit and is seen as a great hope for Brazilian women’s tennis.
Laura Pigossi
An Olympic medalist, Pigossi has excelled in international tournaments and continues to grow in her career.
Which of these athletes have a chance of medaling in Paris 2024?
Men
- Novak Djokovic: with his experience and skills, Djokovic is always a strong medal contender at any tournament, including the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Carlos Alcaraz: his rapid rise and impressive performance make him one of the favorites to win a medal.
- Thiago Monteiro: representing Brazil, Monteiro has a chance of surprising and winning a medal, depending on his performance and the draw of his opponents.
Women
- Iga Świątek: with her current dominance on the circuit, Świątek is one of the main candidates for gold at Paris 2024.
- Aryna Sabalenka: her aggressive style and skills make her a strong contender for a medal.
- Beatriz Haddad Maia: as the main Brazilian tennis player, Haddad Maia has the potential to advance well in the tournament and fight for a medal, especially if he maintains his level of play.
These athletes are considered favorites due to their consistent performance and success in recent international competitions.
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