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Interesting Tennis Facts You Didn’t Know


If you’re a fan of tennis, then you’re in for a treat with this list of interesting facts about the sport. Reading it is as curious and amusing as playing casino games. From record-breaking matches to unique trivia, we’ve got it all.

Without further ado, let’s get started with these interesting tennis facts.

The Longest Match in Professional Tennis History

The longest match in professional tennis history was the 2010 Wimbledon first-round match between John Isner and Nicholas Mahut, which lasted for 11 hours and 5 minutes, spread over three days. The final score was 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-6(3), and 70-68 in favor of Isner. The match set a record for the most games played in a single match, totaling 183 games.

The First Wimbledon Championship 

The first Wimbledon Championship was held in 1877, and the winner received a prize of just 12 pounds. The tournament was only open to male players and was played at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. The first Wimbledon women’s singles event was held in 1884 and was won by Maud Watson.

The Most Grand Slam Singles Titles 

The most Grand Slam singles titles won by a player is 24, a record held by Margaret Court. She won 13 of her titles at the Australian Open, 5 at the French Open, 5 at Wimbledon, and 1 at the U.S. Open.

Serena Williams is second with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, which include 7 Australian Open titles, 3 French Open titles, 7 Wimbledon titles, and 6 U.S. Open titles. Both players are considered among women’s tennis greatest of all time.

The Origin of the Term “love” for Zero Points in Tennis.

The term “love” for zero points in tennis comes from the French word “l’oeuf,” which means “egg.” The shape of a zero looks like an egg, and the term “love” sounds similar to “l’oeuf.” 

The use of the word “love” to mean zero points in tennis is thought to have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is now used in tennis worldwide and is recognized as a unique aspect of the sport’s terminology.

The First U.S. Open

The first U.S. Open was held in 1881 and was only open to male players. The tournament was played at the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island, and was won by Richard Sears. The U.S. Open is now one of the four Grand Slam tournaments open to male and female players. It is played on a hard court surface and is the year’s final major in the ATP Tour and the WTA Tour.

The First French Open

The first French Open, or Roland-Garros, was held in 1891 and was named after the French aviator Roland Garros. It was initially only open to members of French tennis clubs, but it is now one of the four Grand Slam tournaments and is open to all players. The French Open is played on clay courts and is the world’s premier clay court championship event. It is the second Grand Slam event of the year.

The First Black Player to win a Grand Slam Singles Title

The first black player to win a Grand Slam singles title was Althea Gibson, who won the French Open in 1956 and the Wimbledon and U.S. Open titles in 1957 and 1958. Gibson was a trailblazer in the sport and paved the way for future black players to succeed in tennis. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971.

The Highest Recorded Speed for a Serve

The highest recorded speed for a serve in professional tennis is 263.4 km/h (163.7 mph), which Australian player Sam Groth achieved at the Busan Open in South Korea in 2012. The Guinness World Records officially recognizes Groth’s serve as the fastest serve in the history of professional tennis. The previous record was held by Croatian player Ivo Karlovic, who served a ball at 251 km/h (156 mph) at the Davis Cup in 2011.

Tennis is a fascinating sport with a rich history and many interesting facts. From the first Wimbledon Championship to the fastest serve in professional tennis, there are many exciting stories and achievements to discover.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.