As you stroll through the park, you might hear the “thud” of a plastic ball hitting the ground. It’s become a familiar sound these days. In a nearby court, four people are playing a lively game of pickleball.
However, for some tennis enthusiasts, this sound isn't a welcome one. Across the country, tennis courts are being converted into multiple, smaller pickleball courts. In recent years, both tennis and pickleball have risen in popularity. And this has sparked a battle for court space.
But before anyone picks a side, let's explore the history behind these two popular pastimes. One of these games traces its origins back centuries, enjoyed by monks and kings, while the other was invented just 50 years ago as a sport the whole family could enjoy.
Can you guess which is which? Let’s dive in!
From Jeu de Paume to Lawn Tennis
How did tennis start? That all depends on who you ask. Some say the game dates back to ancient Egypt, while others place it in medieval Europe.
We do know a version of the famous game was played in twelfth-century France, though it looked quite different from today. French monks played a ball game called jeu de paume (game of the palm) and used their hands to hit a ball made of cloth, hair, or wool.
Games of chess and pelota (1473-1480). From the British Library archive, Harley 4375, f.151v.
Jeu de paume, however, was missing one key feature: a racket. This piece of equipment wasn’t introduced until the sixteenth century. Early rackets were fashioned out of cork or wood, and their strings were made of animal intestines. During the sixteenth century, the game also got its familiar name: tennis.
Some historians believe the word “tennis” comes from the French verb tenez, which means “Hold!” or “Take!”
Tennis quickly became the pastime of the elite. The English king, Henry VIII, was said to be a great fan of the sport. This version of tennis, often called “real tennis”, “court tennis,” or “royal tennis”, was played on an indoor court. It continues to be played in some places today. Did you know that the court at Hampton Court Palace, where Henry VIII played, is still used?
Portrait of Henry VIII by Joos van Cleve, c. 1531. Image from Wikimedia.
The modern outdoor game, lawn tennis, finally emerged in nineteenth-century Britain. Played by gentlemen and ladies of the upper class, it featured many of the rules we see today. However, tennis fashion and equipment have certainly evolved since those times. In the nineteenth century, women played tennis in long skirts and heeled ankle boots! This century also saw the birth of the famous Wimbledon lawn tennis tournament—a tradition that continues today.
The first Wimbledon tournament was held on July 9, 1877. Today, the Wimbledon Championships is the only major tennis event still played on grass.
Women playing tennis, 1883. Image from Wikimedia.
Tennis would go on to influence the development of several other popular games, including table tennis, paddle tennis, and badminton. Then, in 1965, these very sports would help create one of the fastest-growing games in the U.S. today.
Pickleball is born
The first pickleball game was played 50 years ago, on Banbridge Island, Washington. Three fathers, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, were looking for a family-friendly game for their kids during the summer. They decided to use a badminton court, paddle tennis rackets, and a plastic wiffle ball. When they put all these together, they had created a new tennis-like game. They called it pickleball.
“Bainbridge Island, February 2023” by Another Believer is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
As the story goes, its name was inspired by the term “pickle boat”. A “pickleboat” refers to a boat crew made up of leftover rowers. The game of pickleball was thrown together, just like the crew of a pickle boat.
There is a bit of controversy surrounding the name “pickleball.” Some people argue the game was named after Pritchard’s family dog, Pickles.
Some people saw the family-friendly game as an introduction to tennis, but it quickly grew into its own, distinct sport. By 1976, the first pickleball tournament was held, and soon, pickleball courts were popping up across the country. Today, the game is played in all 50 states, and it has even spread to Australia and Asia.
Photo by Aleksander Saks on Unsplash
So, while tennis boasts a lineage stretching back to the medieval courts of 12th-century France, pickleball is a modern American creation. Today, both of these sports are enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. Why not grab a racket or paddle and discover the fun for yourself? You might just find your new favorite game.
Curious to learn about more sports history? Don't forget to check out our kids magazine! Explore Issue 8 | The Spirit of the Games to uncover the stories of incredible athletes throughout history.
