John Kieran, an American journalist, was the first person to introduce the term “Grand Slam” in 1933. He was referring to the attempt that player Jack Crawford made in the same year to win all four titles: the Australian, French, United States, and Wimbledon tournaments. A comparison that he made between it and “a countered and vulnerable grand slam in bridge” is where the term originated.
The four tennis titles—the Australian, French, United States, and Wimbledon—were chosen as the most prestigious events in tennis because, at the time, they were the primary international championships hosted in the only four countries that had previously won the Davis Cup. Wimbledon was designated as the most prestigious tournament in tennis.
In spite of the fact that the term “Grand Slam” was originally put out in 1933, Jack Crawford was unable to complete the Grand Slam tournaments in that year because he was defeated by Fred Perry in the final of the United States Championships. The first person to ever accomplish a Grand Slam was Donald Budge, who did not accomplish this feat until the year 1938.
History of the US Open
The US Open, which was formerly known as the United States Open Tennis Championships, was the second Grand Slam tournament to be established. This saw its inception in the year 1881.
Beginning in 1881, the event was carried out at the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island, which is also the location of the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the present time.
Seven years in a row, Richard Sears has been victorious at the United States Open. The Philadelphia Cricket Club was the location of the first-ever women’s competition, which did not begin until the year 1887.
Westside Tennis Club in New York City was the location of the tournament that took place in 1915. It wasn’t until 1975 that they switched to using clay for the court surface. That was just for the subsequent three years, which were 1975, 1975, and 1977.
The USTA National Tennis Facility in Flushing Meadows, which is now known as the Billie Jean National Tennis Center, became the new location for the Open Tennis Championship beginning in 1978. Since that time, the United States Open has been played on hard courts made of acrylic.
History of the French Open
The French Open, also known as Roland Garros or the French Championships, was established for the first time in 1891 and was the first tournament to be held on the courts of the Cercle des Sports, which are located on the island of Puteaux.
In spite of this, it was solely accessible to members of French tennis clubs until the year 1924. In the years that followed, the competition was held at a number of different locations.
By a decision made by the French Tennis Federation in 1925, the French accessible that we know and love today was established in such a way that it was accessible to all players from other countries.
In 1928, the stadium known as “Roland Garros,” which many people believed was created to hold the French Open, looked be erected at a record speed by the French Tennis Federation (FFT) in order to host the DAVIS Cup final, which was to take place in France (France versus the United States of America).
In addition, they gave the stadium the name “Roland Garros” in honor of a French pilot (the name was changed in 1988 by court Phillipe Chatrier). A total of five courts were available within the stadium, which was prepared to play home to the French International Championships for the very first time.
At the beginning of the Open Era, the French Open was the first Grand Slam tournament to be open to both amateurs and pros. This event marked the beginning of the Open World Championship.
History of the Australian Open
The Warehouseman’s Cricket Ground in Melbourne was the location of the inaugural Australian Open Cricket Tournament, which took place in 1905. Furthermore, prior to 1927, this competition was known as the Australasian Championships; however, in 1927, it was renamed to reflect its current name.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) first recognized the Australian Open as a major tournament in 1924, the same year that it was given the designation of major by the other Grand Slam Championships.
Starting in 1905 and continuing until 1971, the tournament was conducted in a variety of cities, including Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Hastings, and Christchurch. Additionally, the tournament was held in New Zealand on two separate occasions.
As a result of its transition into the open era in 1969, it became one of the four pillars of the sport of tennis.
On the other hand, in 1972, it was determined that the event would take place at the Kooyong Tennis Club in Melbourne. Because of its location in Australia, the Australian Open was considered to be of lower quality than other Grand Slam tournaments during the 1970s and 1980s. As a result, not all players traveled to Australia to compete in the tournament.
On the other hand, after it relocated to Melbourne Park in 1988, where it was played on a hard court, it was easily considered to be on par with the other majors. It has gained popularity all over the world and is acknowledged as the Grand Slam tournament that is held at the best facilities.
History of Wimbledon
Wimbledon, the first Grand Slam in history, was established in 1877. Following the creation of this competition, Wimbledon changed its name from its original croquet club to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Spencer Gore won his first-ever lawn tennis championship at Wimbledon in 1877. There were twenty-two competitors in the tournament, all men from Britain.
The club was mostly changed to a lawn tennis club by 1882. It was, therefore, unnecessary for croquet to be the name. The competition introduced men’s doubles and women’s singles in 1894. Then, mixed doubles and women’s doubles were introduced in 1913.
Interestingly, the previous year’s tournament winner only needed to compete in the final until 1922. Additionally, the All England Tennis Club relocated to its current site on Church Road Wimbledon in 1922.
It began as the world’s very first tennis competition and has since grown to become the most renowned and esteemed worldwide. It’s also the only Grand Slam competition that’s still held on grass.
The competition’s essence is distinctly British. The event is sponsored and attended by the royal family. At the same time, adherence to a rigid dress code is expected of both athletes and spectators. Because of this, the competition wins over millions of hearts every year throughout the world.
