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
Center Candidates: The All-Time 0 & 00 Team
Looking at sports history and reminiscing about legendary players from different eras is a
Power Forward Candidates: The All-Time 0 & 00 Team
Looking at sports history and reminiscing about legendary players from different eras is a
Small Forward Candidates: The All-Time 0 & 00 Team
Looking at sports history and reminiscing about legendary players from different eras is a
The Making of Women’s American Football: Breaking Barriers On and Off the Field
This week Russ Crawford, Professor of History at Ohio Northern University, rides shotgun in
Super Bowl XLVI (New England Patriots vs. New York Giants): An Ultimate Recount of the Game
Today we have Super Bowl XLVI, held on February 5, 2012, at Lucas Oil
Shooting Guard Candidates: The All-Time 0 & 00 Team
Looking at sports history and reminiscing about legendary players from different eras is a
Point Guard Candidates: The All-Time 0 & 00 Team
Looking at sports history and reminiscing about legendary players from different eras is a
Original Chicago Bulls Threaten Bears: 1926
Some might describe it as a betrayal… Others might simply consider it as a