Hidden history: The world-class sport that began in Birmingham and has made waves across the globe
Lawn tennis, a beloved sport worldwide, has its origins in Edgbaston, Birmingham, thanks to Major Harry Gem and Augurio Perera in 1859.
Lawn tennis is a much-loved sport all throughout the world, and has produced plenty of stars.
There is Federer, Williams, Sampras, Graff, Alcaraz, and Sinner to name just a small few.
However did you know that this sport first originated, right here in Birmingham?
What is Lawn Tennis?
Simply, it is another name for the sport of tennis, a racket sport played by two or four players who hit a ball over a net.
The name pays homage to the game's roots on grass courts, such as those of the famous Wimbledon courts and of course the Edgbaston courts where it all began.
Nowadays, simply calling the sport tennis is enough, but its full name, lawn tennis is also used by its governing body, the Lawn Tennis Association.
How did the sport begin in Edgbaston?
In 1859, Major Harry Gem and Augurio Perera created lawn tennis in Edgbaston.
They played the game on Perera's croquet grass on Ampton Road.
Over the next decade, they developed the rules, leading to the formation of the world's first lawn tennis clubs in Edgbaston, including the Edgbaston Archery & Lawn Tennis Society (founded 1860) and the Priory Lawn Tennis Club (founded 1875).
The Edgbaston Priory Club, which hosted some of the earliest open tournaments, still remains a significant international sporting location.
Some of the earliest moments of the sport occurred, when an open competition was held in Edgbaston in 1881, and it was subsequently continued yearly as the Midland Counties Tournament, for which the committee donated a cup valued at 25 guineas, or £1,250 in today's currency.