Sports - MAHAMAG Magazine beyond boundaries

Every game is a way of self expression, aggression, competitive spirit and of finding joy and sense of achievement. Tennis originated in England in the later part of the nineteenth century, has over the years developed into a field of glamour, money, fame and recognition. Players from Europe, America and Australia have been dominating the game for decades. One can see occasional stars from Asia and Africa.
1877 was the year when the Wimbledon championship began in England. It continues to be the number one tennis tournament in the world. The other major tournaments, together with Wimbledon, called the grand slam tournaments, began soon. They are the Australian Open, the French Open and the U.S Open. During the early periods, the game was not so lucrative, but players found a platform for gaining recognition and fame. News papers as well as other medias gave great importance to news from the tennis world and players became national heroes. It would be nice to remember those players and their names that have become part of the daily conversation of all sports lovers.The glamour image came in the sixties when TV became widespread and communication media got full fledged. There have been great players.Australians Rod Laver, John Newcomb, Roy Emerson and Ken Rosewall

World Of Tennis

were the stars of the era. Rod Laver is considered as one the best players ever and he achieved the rare feet of winning all the four major grand slams in a calendar year twice. At that time, tennis was an all round game, accuracy and imagination were vibrant qualities there.Jan Kodes (Czech), Vitas Gerulaitis,

India reached the semi finals of Wimbleton twice in the sixtees and single time champions Arthur Ashe and Stan Smith also impressed the world with their talent. When it Asian countries like Japan and India had their representation and Ramesh Krishnan of India was the junior number one in the world.

Jose Louis Clerk, Guillermo Vilas (Arg) among men and Billie Jean King, Maureen Conolly and Margaret Court among another Indian who was also in the top thirty. women were also world figures of the time. Ramanathan Krishnan from

Vijay Amritraj was was the seventies, tennis world began to accept more variety and players from obscure parts of the world began to appear on courts all over the world. Asian countries like Japan and India had their another

charismatic Indian who was also in the top thirty. One of the most talented, graceful and lovable players arrived in the eighties, was the German Steffi Graf. Tennis was going through one of the most glorious periods at that time and the names mentioned here became household names in all sport loving community. In 1987 India made news headlines when they reached the final of the Davis Cup.
The game is now very lucrative. One or two grand slams in singles or doubles will raise the players’ financial status and may be that is one of the reasons for such a high competition in the field. The game is supreme in its capacity to attract audience. The top stars exert tremendous influence upon the glamour, glitter and financial affairs of the world. The game will continue to be one of the most prestigious events in the history of sports and games. -Ranjith Narayan

Aerial View of Irvington Club Courts & Clubhouse, 1908