Tennis

Tennis game played by two or four players on a covered or open hard and plain court. In case of two players the court measures 78 ft by 27 ft and in the other case it measures 78 ft by 36 ft. Tennis originated from a kind of handball game that used to be played in ancient Greece, Italy, Egypt, Persia and Arabia inside a room divided in the middle by a hanging rope.

Modernity began to appear in the context and equipment of the game in several European countries including France and England in the sixteenth century. Modern lawn tennis was invented by Major Walter Wingfield of England in 1873. At that time it was a game of 15 points and only the server could score. In 1881, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) was formed to frame definite rules and regulations for the game. Among the most dignified and historic international tennis tournaments are the Wimbledon, US Open, French and Australian Singles Championships. One of the world's most exciting tournaments today is the Davis Cup that started in 1900.

In large towns of Bangladesh, lawn tennis is regularly played and at times, tournaments are also held. In 1972, the Bangladesh Tennis Federation was formed with the aim of popularising lawn tennis in the country. In 1977, it created a National Tennis Complex. Bangladesh Tennis Federation acquired membership of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) of London in 1985.

Bangladesh takes part in a number of international tournaments almost regularly. In 1989, Bangladesh was able to reach the semi-finals in Davis Cup held in Singapore. In 1998, eight countries including Bangladesh, Bahrain, Iraq, Pacific Oceania, and Brunei participated in the Davis Cup at Dhaka. Bangladesh was runners-up at the group level. Among the international tournaments that Bangladesh has so far hosted are the Davis Cup, International Tennis Federation Junior Tournament, and Satellite Circuit Man's Future Tournament. At the National level, six men's and women's tournaments and also six juniors' tournaments are arranged each year. These tournaments are named after their sponsors. National tournaments are sponsored by various trade corporations such as General Insurance, IFIC Bank, Life Insurance, Elite Group, and Coca-Cola.

Clubs and organisations affiliated to the Bangladesh Tennis Federation include Rajshahi Tennis Complex, Engineers' Tennis Club, Comilla Tennis Club, Mymensingh Tennis Club, Barisal Tennis Club, Patuakhaii Tennis Club, Sylhet Tennis Club, Naogaon Tennis Club, and bksp. [Gofran Faroqi]