tennis: Quick Facts

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Nov. 13, 2026

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Nadal set to join Real Madrid board of directors • Nov. 4, 2026, 8:21 AM ET (BBC)

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Facts

Also Known As	lawn tennis

Photos and Videos

Serena Williams in a black tennis dress hitting a two-handed backhand during a match at the 2004 US Open, with a blue court background.

Dwight F. Davis

Suzanne Lenglen

Helen Wills, dressed in a long-sleeved tennis outfit and visor, prepares to serve on an outdoor tennis court, holding a racket and ball.

American tennis player Althea Gibson competing at Wimbledon, July 2, 1957

Maria Bueno smiles and holds up the Wimbledon Ladies' Singles trophy plate on the grass court, with spectators in the background.

How to serve overhand in tennis

Watch: A forehand topspin in tennis

Watch: A two-handed backhand in tennis

What Makes Serena Williams One of the Greatest Tennis Players in History?

See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

Topics

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Key People

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Jaroslav Drobny

Czech athlete

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William Renshaw

English tennis player

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Laurie Doherty

English tennis player

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Ernest Renshaw

English tennis player

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Iva Majoli

Croatian tennis player

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Reggie Doherty

English tennis player

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Michael Chang

American tennis player

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Peter Fleming

American tennis player

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Guillermo Vilas

Argentine tennis player

Aryna Sabalenka smiles and holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup above her shoulder after winning the 2023 Australian Open Women's Singles Final at Melbourne Park.

Aryna Sabalenka

Belarusian tennis player

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic

Serbian tennis player

Nick Kyrgios

Nick Kyrgios

Australian tennis player

Serena Williams

Serena Williams

American tennis player

Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner

Italian tennis player

Rafael Nadal smiles and holds up the US Open championship trophy while wearing a purple jacket, with American flags visible in the background.

Rafael Nadal

Spanish tennis player

Iga Swiatek smiles and holds up the French Open women's singles trophy while wearing a white cap and sleeveless tennis outfit at Roland Garros in Paris.

Iga Świątek

Polish tennis player

Roger Federer

Roger Federer

Swiss tennis player

Wimbledon champion

Carlos Alcaraz

Spanish tennis player

Venus Williams

Venus Williams

American tennis player

Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff

American tennis player

Rich Harden no. 40 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers. July 31, 2008 at Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cubs defeated the Brewers 11-4. Major League Baseball (MLB).

Sports Firsts Through the Ages Quiz

Cricket bat and ball. cricket sport of cricket.Homepage blog 2011, arts and entertainment, history and society, sports and games athletics

Sports Quiz

Bobby Riggs (bottom) and Billie Jean King during the "Battle of the Sexes" match at the Houston Astrodome, Texas, September 20, 1973. (tennis)

Sports Moments Nicknames Quiz

Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after breaking the world record with a time of 19.30 to win the gold medal as Churandy Martina (left) of Netherlands Antilles and Brian Dzingai of Zimbabwe come in after him in the Men's 200m Final at the National Stadium during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Summer Olympics, track and field, athletics)

I Am the Greatest (Athlete)

Assorted sports balls including a basketball, football, soccer ball, tennis ball, baseball and others.

American Sports Nicknames

Serena Williams poses with the Daphne Akhurst Trophy after winning the Women's Singles final against Venus Williams of the United States on day 13 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (tennis, sports)

Great Moments in Sports Quiz

Green Tennis Ball on a tennis court

Tennis

MASON, OH - AUGUST 17: Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a backhand against Mardy Fish during day seven of the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 17, 2012 in Mason, Ohio

Wimbledon