Play Tennis Day is an annual American holiday dedicated to tennis. Today, the game is an Olympic sport, but nothing prevents us from relaxing by playing a couple of games in the backyard! The holiday is on February 23.
History
The forerunner of modern tennis is considered to be the game of “Gicoco,” which appeared in France, Italy, and England around the end of the 13th century. A net was stretched across the center of the field, over which the ball had to be thrown. They used a stiff leather gauntlet on the arm or a shield made of wood. Around the 16th century, rackets appeared.
Modern tennis in past centuries was known as “lawn tennis.” It is believed to have become popular in the United States thanks to an upper-class woman named Mary Ewing Outerbridge, who began playing it upon her arrival from England (Bermuda, to be exact).
Modern tennis is played on a court (rectangular area) with different surfaces: asphalt, grass, rubberized surface, etc. Players use rackets to hit the ball over the net. A player is awarded points if the opponent fails to return the ball.
Interesting Facts
- Tennis was very popular with French and English rulers. Personal courts were often set up in the courts of kings.
- The fastest serve in women’s tennis occurred in 1988. American V. Williams served it at 205 km/h. Among the men’s players in 2011, I. Karlovic was able to serve the ball at 251 km/h.
- Tennis players are known for their intense emotions, often breaking their rackets in frustration. Typically, more than 300 rackets are broken in a year.
How to Celebrate
Get together with friends to play tennis. If you haven’t played before, celebrating Play Tennis Day is a great excuse to learn basic skills. Research the internet for information about famous tennis players from your city/country. You can also watch Olympic tennis matches!
Spread the word on social media. Ask other users if they like tennis and how often they play it.
When is Play Tennis Day in 2025?
Play Tennis Day is observed on February 23 each year.
Observations
Weekday | Month | Day | Year |
Sunday | February | 23 | 2025 |
Monday | February | 23 | 2026 |
Tuesday | February | 23 | 2027 |
Wednesday | February | 23 | 2028 |
Friday | February | 23 | 2029 |