Written by the English and American tennis historians - Bob Everitt and Richard Hillway, this fine book comes in its own protective leather-covered slip case and is lavishly produced (quarter-bound in leather) with a wealth of new and unpublished illustrations and photographs (over 500) from the authors' own collections. Their research is seamlessly combined to form a tremendous tribute to both the game of lawn tennis and the past, present and future of the renowned All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. This seminal history of the birth of the game and its development over the first four years of its life begins with a detailed study of Major Walter Clopton Wingfield, the inventor. It examines his doubters and rivals, dispelling common myths as it cleverly weaves its way through a chronology of events culminating with a detailed description of the staging of the first Wimbledon Championship in 1877 and the players who took part. This mighty tome has taken authors Bob and Richard twenty years to compile. The depth of their research is breathtaking. Extending to over 570 pages, the book includes biographies of the players and tournament officials, with masses of information on manufacturers, a comparison of the rules, and a time-line of lawn tennis related events. Fully indexed, it will be a book desired by all tennis history loving fans and bibliophiles.

The modern game of tennis dates from 1874, when the rules were defined by Major Walter Clopton Wingfield. Published in association with the All England Lawn Tennis Club (Wimbledon), this book examines the history of the rules of tennis from their first codification to the present day.

All the passion, drama, and beauty of tennis is captured in this most up-to-date comprehensive history--from its early beginnings as a sport, the greatest matches ever played, to its global star players and personalities of present day. This volume is a must-read for tennis aficionados. Tennis, the much-loved sport, is a game for the ages dating back to sixteenth-century royal court matches played by King Henry VIII. History of Tennis captures the sport's long history, never short of theatrics, rivalries, power plays, political controversies, and inspiring personal stories. Beautiful historic and contemporary images of gripping matches like the unforgettable Bjorn Borg versus John McEnroe tiebreak match in 1980, to behind-the-scenes moments with tennis legends, and never-before-seen shots, grace each page accompanied by Richard Evans's intriguing stories and unique insight detailing the evolution of this majestic sport by decade. Starting as a European royal pastime and gaining popularity in England and France, the sport made its way to America in the late 1870s as the new game of lawn tennis, creating along the centuries legendary tennis superstars such as Bill Tilden, Suzanne Lenglen and the Four Musketeers, Fred Perry, Billie Jean King, John McEnroe, and Steffi Graf. Now one of the most highly watched sports globally with top-billing icons like Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, and Naomi Osaka, there is no stopping the power of this allenthralling game. This is a must-have volume for lifelong fans and those intrigued by the sporting theater and grand culture of tennis.

Tennis is at once an art and a science. The game as played by such men as Norman E. Brookes, the late Anthony Wilding, William M. Johnston, and R.N. Williams is art. Yet like all true art, it has its basis in scientific methods that must be learned and learned thoroughly for a foundation before the artistic structure of a great tennis game can be constructed.

Tennis is much more than Wimbledon! This story reveals the hidden history of the sport.