Tennis, originating from the medieval game of jeu de paume, saw its first formal rules established in the late 19th century. Now you can go to best betting site 1xBet if you want to wager on the modern sport.
The modern game began to take shape in 1874 when Major Walter Clopton Wingfield patented his version of lawn tennis. He called it “Sphairistikè,” and it included a set of rules that were close to those of modern tennis. They specified things such as:
- court shape;
- equipment;
- and scoring system.
Also, the original court was an hourglass shape, and the net was 4 feet high at the posts, gradually decreasing to 3 feet in the center.
By 1877, the All England Club held the first Wimbledon tournament, solidifying many of the foundational rules. If you go to the best betting site, which is 1xBet, you can also wager on Wimbledon too.
The rules begin to take shape
Early tennis matches were played to the best of 5 sets. Each set consisted of games won by the 1st player to reach 4 points with a 2-point margin (15, 30, 40, game). However, the introduction of tie-breakers in the 1970s by James Van Alen revolutionized the game by preventing marathon sets, making matches more predictable in duration. It is possible to bet on cricket fast with 1xBet, where it is also possible to wager on what is likely to happen during tennis tiebreaks too.
The tie-breaker system was first used at the US Open in 1970, and by 1971, it was adopted in all Grand Slam tournaments except the French Open. The Grand Slams are some of the best tennis competitions, and at 1xBet you can bet on them fast, while wagering on cricket matches too.
Adapting to the modern spectator
With the advent of television and the increasing popularity of tennis in the 1970s and 1980s, rules evolved to enhance the spectator experience. The introduction of the electronic line-calling system, Hawk-Eye, in 2006, allowed players to challenge line calls, adding a new strategic element to the game. Players are allowed 3 incorrect challenges per set, with an additional challenge available in tie-breaks. The best tennis bets online from 1xBet can also be made on what is likely to happen with these challenges. The 21st century saw significant changes aimed at speeding up the game and making it more viewer-friendly. In 2018, the Davis Cup adopted a new format featuring shorter matches played over 2 days rather than 3. Similarly, the ATP Next Gen Finals introduced rules like no-ad scoring (where the first player to win 4 points wins the game), shorter sets to 4 games, and on-court coaching. The best online tennis bets are present at 1xBet, and here you can also place wagers on these competitions too.