National Play Tennis Day

What better way could there be to keep your body fit than to do sports? There are hundreds of sports, both team and individual, guaranteeing that everyone can find something that is just right for him or her. Tennis has been a favorite sport of many since the 19th century, so if you haven’t yet, it is high time you tried playing it.

And that’s what National Play Tennis Day is all about (see how it’s right there in the name?)!

How to Celebrate National Play Tennis Day

The best way to enjoy National Play Tennis Day is, of course, to pick up a few balls, a racket that’s relatively light and easy to hold, and head down to the local court. Bring a friend or loved one along for an added bonus and enjoy a sunny afternoon of serves and volleys. However, if you are not yet overly familiar with this sport or have never even picked up a racket, don’t worry!

Start Playing Tennis

National Play Tennis Day is also a great way to become introduced to the sport itself. Tennis is a fun but extremely intense game that pits you against your opponent one on one, with no team members to support you and nobody to rely on but yourself, and it is both physically and psychologically demanding.

Sign Up for Tennis Lessons

Tennis is generally considered a good sport for especially those with a strong sense of independence and plenty of drive and determination! Sign up for lessons with a qualified instructor to learn the basics and prepare yourself for the intensity of a real game.

Watch a Tennis Match

Alternately, you could celebrate this day by simply sitting down and watching a professional match, which can prove to be much more exciting than you may be anticipating—tennis is nothing like golf, to be sure. It is especially inspiring to watch the disabled play tennis and vanquish their disabilities at every turn by racing to and fro across the court in order to make it to that ball on time.

Whatever way you choose to celebrate it, National Play Tennis Day is indeed a fun way to pay tribute to such a fast-paced sport.

History of National Play Tennis Day

As we know it, tennis has been around since the mid 1800s, when two friends Harry Gem and Augurio Perera developed the game on Perera’s lawn in England. The first tennis club was created soon after, in 1872, and had just 4 members at the beginning of its existence.

However, the origins of the sport of tennis can be traced back to twelfth century France, where it was played by hitting the ball with the hands instead of a racket. In fact, King Louis X was a big fan of the game that was then called jeu de paume (“game of the palm”), and is considered the world’s first tennis player known by name. Since then, tennis has of course evolved greatly into the competition we know today, played by thousands and followed by millions of fans from around the world.

Because of this, the origins of National Play Tennis Day can be traced back many hundred years. But the day itself is a much more modern invention that encourages people to celebrate this unqiue game and pick up some rackets just for fun!