There is some uncertainty regarding the origins of tennis, but the game took its modern form during the 19th century.  In fact, some historians believe that tennis has derived partly from ‘Sphairistiké’, a game that was developed by Major Walter Clopton Wingfield of Plas Rhysnant, Brymbo, near Wrexham.

At the turn of the 21^st century, some 200 annual tennis tournaments are co-ordinated by Tennis Cymru, which is the national governing body for tennis in Wales.  The organisation registered about 11,000 members and had nearly 100 affiliated clubs.

Welsh tennis champions include Elizabeth James, who played in the 1960s; Mike Davies and Gerald Battrick, who won the British Hard Court Championships in 1960 and 1971; and Sarah Loosemore of Cardiff, who became British Champion in 1988.  Interestingly, Welsh rugby player J. P. R. Williams was also a talented tennis player, winning the British Youth Championships in 1966.