Tennis

To keep you playing and enjoying tennis whilst at home, the LTA have created a section to their website, www.lta.org.uk, called ‘LTA Youth Tennis at Home’. Here are a few fun videos the LTA have allowed us to share with you.

As we write this article, tennis clubs across the country are slowly starting to open courts again with certain rules in place.

However, the major tennis competitions we are used to watching, featuring professional tennis players, have still been cancelled for the time being. This summer we should have enjoyed footage, or the opportunity of attending, UK tournaments such as Eastbourne, Nottingham, Queen’s and Wimbledon.

So, as we can’t see the action live, we thought it would be fun to increase your knowledge of Wimbledon and some great tennis stars who have played there and whose talents – and antics- have gone down in Wimbledon and tennis history!

Let’s start with some of the funniest moments from Wimbledon.

Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, first taking place in 1877.

Maud Watson

Maud Watson was the first women’s singles champion at Wimbledon winning in 1884 and 1885. This was an even greater achievement in our opinion given the women’s tennis clothes of the day! Can you see how different the rackets were in those days too?

John McEnroe

John McEnroe won the singles title at Wimbledon in 1981, 1983 and 1984 and doubles in 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984 and 1992. He reached Number 1 in the World in 1980.

He also became famous for his on court behaviour which often got him in trouble such as this:

Andre Agassi

When Agassi came onto the tennis circuit he quickly became known for his colourful tennis kit. Now, unlike at other tennis tournaments, at Wimbledon this wasn’t permitted – players are only allowed to play in white kit. Before he played at Wimbledon for the first time in 1991 the newspapers were full of questions...would he or wouldn’t he keep to the rules?

Well, he did and he won Wimbledon the following year. He became World Number 1 in 1995 and won Olympic Gold 1996. He has also won the French Open, the Australian Open four times and the US Open twice as well as coaching Novak Djokovic and Grigor Dimitrov.

Boris Becker

In 1985, Becker became the youngest male Wimbledon singles champion, winning at the age of 17. He won again in 1986 and 1989 and became Number 1 in the World in 1991.

So we hope the above has broadened your tennis knowledge as well as inspired you to carry on playing tennis.

Longest tennis rally at Wimbledon

If you’ve never played tennis before we have been given a handy guide from tennis coach Steve Whelan.

What is Tennis?

Tennis is an amazingly simple sport. Two players hit a ball back and forth over a net, keeping the ball inside the court lines. If your partner cannot return the ball back over the net and inside your half of the court, you win the point.

Why should I play Tennis?

Tennis is a fun and active way to stay fit and healthy. There are different sized rackets, courts and various balls meaning Tennis can be played by anyone, no matter their age or ability.

Tennis is a non-contact sport and can be played as a family or with friends. You don’t need a Tennis court to play. Tennis can be played with just two rackets and a ball, by using your imagination you can create your own net and court space.

What skills will I develop?

Tennis is a multiskilled sport which encourages players to develop coordination, problem solving, speed, strength, confidence, and pressure management skills.

Any tips?

Begin with a small court space while you learn to control the ball. Keep the ball in front of you by making contact early with small pushes.
As your confidence grows start to move back and make your pushes bigger until you can control the ball from the back of your court.
If you struggle, just move a bit closer and build up your skills before trying to move back.
The ball can land anywhere on the court so practice hitting the ball using both sides of your body.
On your weakest side, try using two hands to help control the shot. This is known a double handed backhand.
Tennis is a sending and receiving sport; throwing and catching both under and over arm are key skills for tennis players. Practice as much throwing and catching as you can and learn how to do these skills with the ball bouncing, not bouncing and lots of movement to take your tennis to the next level.

Steve Whelan, @mytenniscoaching LTA Level 4 Performance Coach and Coach Education Tutor.

With thanks to Wimbledon for the use of videos in this article.