Women's tennis

Women's tennis is one of the most popular sports for women.[1] It is one of the few sports in which women command fame and popularity that equal those of their male counterparts.[2][3] Women's Tennis Association is the main organisation which runs female tennis.[4][5][6]

Women's tennis
Women's tennis at White City Stadium (Sydney) during Country Week
Highest governing bodyInternational Tennis Federation
First playedBetween 1859 and 1865, Birmingham, England
Characteristics
ContactNo
Team membersSingle or doubles
Mixed-sexYes, separate tours & mixed doubles
TypeOutdoor
EquipmentTennis ball, tennis racket
VenueIndoor or outdoor tennis court
Presence
Country or regionWorldwide
OlympicYes, part of Summer Olympic programme from 1900 to 1924
Demonstration sport in the 1968 and 1984 Summer Olympics
Part of Summer Olympic programme since 1988
ParalympicYes, part of Summer Paralympic programme since 1992

History
Main article: History of tennis

Women's tennis is present from the first Olympic Games in 1900 in Paris and 1908 in London, but the women's doubles only appeared in 1920 at the Antwerp Games.

One of the first superstars of women's tennis is Suzanne Lenglen, who after six titles won at Wimbledon and the Internationaux de France left amateur tennis to achieve a first professional tour in North America in 1926–1927.

However women's tennis did not really become established until the 1960s, and especially with the establishment of the Women's Tennis Association in the 1970s.[7]

Features of women's tennis

In women's tennis matches the ball is usually played without effect (less than lift) and games tend to play more from the baseline; typing is generally less powerful than men. The game is made in a more tactical speed and anticipation.[8] The service is also less powerful; it is relatively less important than for men. However, there has been a noted evolution in this field since the 1990s, women's tennis is improving and is growing more and more popular.[9][10]

Fastest Service Speed at Wimbledon
Player Year Service speed
Gabriela Sabatini 1992 146 km/h
Nathalie Tauziat 1995 159 km/h
Steffi Graf 1998 171 km/h
Kim Clijsters 2004 188 km/h
Amélie Mauresmo 2006 193 km/h
Venus Williams 2007 208 km/h
Sabine Lisicki 2014 211 km/h

Controversy

Women's tennis has been marked by several cases, including cases of sexual abuse by trainers.[11][12] The world of women's tennis is sometimes described as "homophobic" and "sexist".[13][14]

See also

Bibliography
  • Le tennis féminin français, Vincent Cognet, Romain Lefebvre, Philippe Maria, Ed. du stade, 1999 (ISBN 2745602713)
  • Les dessous du tennis féminin, Nathalie Tauziat, ed. J'ai lu, 2001 (ISBN 2290312193)
  • N'oublie pas de gagner: Dans les coulisses du tennis féminin, Dominique Bonnot, ed. Stock, 20157 (ISBN 9782234078338)
  • Women's Tennis Tactics, Rob Antoun, Human Kinetics, 2007 (ISBN 9780736065726)

References
  1. "History Is Why We Respect Women's Tennis". Jezebel. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
  2. "Examining the Growth and Popularity of Women's Mixed Martial Arts". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2014-12-30.
  3. "Billie versus Bobby – how one tennis match changed history". New Statesman. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
  4. "WTA pounces on growing popularity of Chinese tennis sensation Li Na". Australian. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
  5. "Serena Williams' dominance unrivaled in women's tennis". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
  6. "Coming up short". Economist. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
  7. "WOMEN'S TENNIS, MONEY, AND THE UPHILL BATTLE FOR EQUALITY". Vice. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  8. Cesar Coutinho (June 2015). "Succčs en Tennis: La Science derričre les Performance". Books.google.fr. p. 142. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  9. "Glam Slam: How Women's Tennis Is Making the Richest Sportswomen in History Even Richer". Time. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
  10. "Women's Tennis Changes Its Game". Newsweek. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
  11. Grace Lichtenstein (1993-03-29). "BOOK WORLD". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409.
  12. "Has the #MeToo era finally dawned in women's tennis?". www.italianinsider.it.
  13. Zirin, Dave (July 6, 2009). "Sexism on Centre Court" – via www.thenation.com.
  14. Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Silence on Margaret Court: Tennis swerves homophobia debate as champion is honored | DW | 28.01.2020". DW.COM.
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