What Is The History Of Tennis At Wimbledon?

In 1877 the first garden party atmosphere competition was played, with a few hundred spectators, and the only event held was the Gentlemen's Singles.  The first tournament was held on grounds near Worple Road. Seven years later, in 1884, the All England Club added Gentlemen's Doubles and Ladies' Singles to the tournament.  Mixed Doubles and Ladies' Doubles were added 29 years later in 1913. The Championships moved to their present location, at a ground near Church Road, in 1922.  Amateur players only could compete until 1968.  The scene of the first Wimbledon would have been pretty much the same as present-day tennis to spectators, but the style of play and equipment were different because it was a new sport. The rackets resembled snowshoes in shape and weight, the balls had hand-sewn flannel outer casings and the serving was round-arm rather than overhead as in baseball.