As we celebrate 100 year since Dunlop produced it’s first Tennis ball. Maybe we should take a look at Tennis itself. Tennis has come a long way in the past 100 years. What was once a leisurely pastime for the wealthy has become a global sport with millions of players and fans. The evolution of tennis can be traced back to the late 19th century, when the modern version of the game was first codified.
One of the biggest changes in tennis over the past 100 years has been the introduction of new technologies and equipment. Originally, players used wooden rackets and balls. The balls were made of leather and stuffed with feathers. These rackets and balls were heavy and difficult to manoeuvre, and players had to rely on nothing more than brute strength to hit powerful shots.
It wasn’t until the the 1950s, the first metal rackets were introduced, which were lighter and more flexible than wooden ones. This allowed players to generate more spin and control on their shots, leading to a more diverse range of playing styles. The introduction of synthetic materials like graphite in the 1970s and 1980s further improved racket technology, making them even lighter and more powerful.
The modern game of tennis has also seen the introduction of new playing surfaces and tournament formats. Grass courts were the most common surface in the early days of the sport, but over time, other surfaces like clay and hard courts have become more popular. The introduction of the ATP Tour in the 1970s and the creation of the Grand Slam tournaments (the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries have also helped to popularize the sport and make it more accessible to a wider audience.
Overall, it’s fair to say that tennis has come a long way in the past 100 years, just like Dunlop. From the introduction of new technologies and equipment to the evolution of the game itself, the sport has undergone many changes and continues to evolve to this day.