Play Tennis Day

Play Tennis Day is an annual American holiday dedicated to the sport of tennis. Today, tennis is an Olympic discipline, but you don’t need to be a professional to enjoy a few games with friends or family. The holiday is observed on February 23 each year.

History

The forerunner of modern tennis is believed to be a game called “Gioco,” which appeared in France, Italy, and England at the end of the 13th century. In this early version, a net was stretched across the center of the field, and players threw the ball over it using a stiff leather gauntlet or a wooden paddle. By the 16th century, rackets had been introduced.

Modern tennis, once known as “lawn tennis,” gained popularity in the United States largely thanks to Mary Ewing Outerbridge, who brought the game from Bermuda after visiting England. Over the years, tennis evolved into the sport we know today, played on courts with various surfaces such as asphalt, grass, or clay. Players use rackets to hit the ball over the net, and points are scored if the opponent cannot successfully return the ball.

Interesting Facts

• Tennis was a favorite pastime among French and English royalty, with personal courts set up in royal palaces.
• The fastest recorded serve in women’s tennis was achieved by Venus Williams in 1988 at 205 km/h. Among men, Ivo Karlovic served at 251 km/h in 2011.
• Tennis players are known for their passionate outbursts—more than 300 rackets are broken each year on the professional circuit.

How to Take Part

Get together with friends or family to play a game of tennis. If you’re new to the sport, Play Tennis Day is a great opportunity to learn the basics. You can also look up famous tennis players from your country, or watch Olympic tennis matches for inspiration.

Share your tennis experiences on social media. Ask others if they enjoy playing tennis and how often they play.

When is Play Tennis Day in 2026?

Play Tennis Day is observed on February 23 each year.

Observations