Every year
on the first Monday in March, World Tennis Day is celebrated, and as
such this year, on March 4. On this day, we are learning all there is to know
about this interesting sport.
The origins
of tennis go all the way back to the 12th century. During this time, European
monks had developed a handball game called "paume." Later, instead of
hitting the ball with the hand, leather gloves were used. These gloves
eventually evolved into racquets.
The
International Tennis Federation organized the first World Tennis Day on March
4, 2013. About 60 countries participated in the event. The event coincided with
a one-night tennis exhibition that took place in Madison Square Garden from
2008 through 2017. The event kicked off the tennis season in North America.
During the same time frame, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) held
tennis clinics across the country. Even though the one-night tennis exhibition
no longer takes place, World Tennis Day is still celebrated in 90 countries
around the world.
On the occasion of World Tennis Day, I share a Minisheet of Belgium issued for the 2008 Olympic Games - Beijing, China. The Minisheet depicts top female Belgian tennis stars, Justine Henin (top) and Kim Clijsters (below) pitted against each other on court. The commemorative postage stamp on the same depicts a tennis racquet and ball.
