World Languages, asked by vikas1991, 1 year ago

History of lawn tennis please

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Answered by AdityaJ1
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The History of Lawn Tennis

Thomas Henry Gem, known better as Harry Gem, was born in Birmingham on 21 May 1819. He attended Kings College London, and began practicing as a solicitor back in Birmingham in 1841. and then marrying Ellen Maria Wilcox in 1852.

 

Gem was a keen sportsman and a member of Bath Street Rackets Club, where he was also club secretary. It was at this rackets club where Gem, most likely met Juan Bautista Augurio Perera, a Spanish born merchant. Perera and Gem created a new set of rules for a rackets game, known as pelota, lawn rackets or lawn tennis. The game was reportedly first played by Gem and Perera on the croquet lawn at Perera’s Edgbaston home in 1865.

Meanwhile, following his father’s death in 1856, Gem had become a magistrate’s clerk, a position his father had held before him. He had also encouraged the creation of a volunteer corps for Warwickshire, through which Gem eventually gained the title of Major of the 1st Warwickshire Rifle Volunteer Corps.

In 1872 both Gem and Perera moved to Leamington Spa and there they established the world’s first lawn tennis club. The club consisted of Gem, Perera and two local doctors; Dr. Haynes and Dr. Tompkins. The club played on the lawns of the Manor House Hotel, on Avenue Road near to Perera’s new abode.

Gem had also been a member of Edgbaston Archery Society, and whilst there is no proof lawn tennis was introduced there by Gem, it had developed in popularity to the point that the society was renamed Edgbaston Archery and Lawn Tennis Society in 1877.

On 4 November 1881 Major Thomas Henry Gem died from paralysis at number 21 Portland Place, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.

 

Major Walter Clopton Wingfield is often credited as the inventor of tennis, however is only recorded as demonstrating his racket game of Sphairistike to Lord Lansdowne in 1869 – four years after Gem and Perera played their first recorded match. In addition Sphairistike was played on an hour glass shaped court in contrast to Gem and Perera’s croquet lawn adaptation. However, Major Wingfield deserves recognition for the promotion of his game, including selling sets of equipment and instructions to play the game.

 

Juan Bautista Augurio Perera was born in Spain c1822. In 1839 he travelled to England at the age of 17. Perera obtained British Citizenship and settled in Edgbaston, whilst working as a merchant, and most likely trading goods with his native Spain.

It is possible that Perera grew up and or traded in the Basque region in Northern Spain, where pelota is still attributed to and played today.

Also a member of Bath Street Rackets Club, Perera resided at Fairlight, number 8 Ampton Road, Edgbaston until 1872 when he moved with Gem to Leamington, where he lived on Avenue Road opposite the Manor House.

Around 1884, Perera left Leamington, a few years after the death of Gem and little is known about him subsequently.

hope this helps!!!☺️☺️
Answered by user16
1
The History of Lawn Tennis. ... Perera and Gem created a new set of rules for a rackets game, known as pelota, lawn rackets or lawn tennis. The game was reportedly first played by Gem and Perera on the croquet lawn at Perera's Edgbaston home in 1865.
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