July 9, 1877 – The First-ever Wimbledon tennis championship tournament began. It was truly a watershed moment as Wimbledon was the first official lawn tennis tournament anywhere. The creators were the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club as they decided to hold a lawn tennis tournament for men’s singles only that 21 amateurs showed up to participate in the London suburbs.
The club was originally centered around croquet, another lawn sport, but the growing popularity of tennis led it to incorporate tennis lawns into their expansive 4 acres of grounds purchased in 1868. The entrance fee of one pound for each participant could earn them the title of Wimbledon champion and a 25-guinea trophy.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
The Inspiring Comeback of Weightlifter Tim Caso
When I first started Olympic Weightlifting in 1981, at nineteen years old, Tim was
Chicago’s Weightlifting Legacy: Mark Levell
As with many weightlifters, Mark’s interest in the sport began with watching weightlifting on
Kentomania: A Sneak Peek at the Black Basketball Virtuoso in Communist Poland
With a “won’t be denied” attitude, he took basketball to a level that few
Cheers and Gears: The Tech Behind Today’s College Football Experience
The college football experience has evolved tremendously over the past decade, integrating new technologies
Pro Quarterback Magazine: A Nostalgic Journey Through NFL History
Although it is difficult to get much information on when the first issue was
Legends and Leisure: Stadium-Inspired Seating for Themed Restaurants
Sports culture has a powerful way of bringing people together, and themed restaurants are
The Greatest NFL Quarterbacks of the 1970s
Well, I have refrained from discussing this topic, because I know that it will
How Sports Betting Has Shaped Kansas – A Historical Overview
Sports betting has a rich history in the United States, with each state contributing