Tennis history began with racket sports have been around since medieval times, although tennis only developed into the format recognised today in the late 19th century.

By 1905 all four Grand Slam tournaments had been established and the sport's popularity grew at an incredibly fast rate on both sides of the Atlantic.

Unfortunately for much of the remainder of the last century there was a distinct divide between the amateur and professional ranks, with players in either camp unable to play in the others' tournaments.

Tennis' history saw common sense finally prevailed in 1968 when the sport turned professional, enabling all of the leading tennis players to compete under one banner.

Rival factions within the professional ranks still led to some leading players not taking part in Grand Slam tournaments. Slowly but surely, though, the differences were resolved.
These days professional tennis is run by two governing bodies. The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) looks after the men, while the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) governs the women's game.

The Grand Slams still attract the most interest of course, but the money-spinning ATP Tour is just an example of how tennis continues to expand its horizons and, as a result, its popularity.