History Specials
Part I
The First and the Last to ..
The exhibits in Part 1 showcase racquets and balls that signified pivotal moments in the sport, either marking the dawn or close of an era. These items serve as key milestones, weaving a continuous narrative throughout tennis history.
The First Racquet to ...
Discover the racquets that earned their pioneering status in the history of the sport
1555 - 1982
The Last Racquet to ...
Learn about the five legendary pieces that marked the end of the Golden Era in tennis
1981 - 1989
The First Tennis
Balls
...
Follow the journey of tennis balls, from their origins to modern times
1000 AD - 1986
First Sticks
from Related
Games
See how sticks from other games influenced the early days of tennis
1500 BC- 1900
Part II
Talk of the Town
In Part 2, we spotlight racquets, players, and brands that made headlines in their time. These icons left a lasting legacy that continues to influence the sport today.
The
Wingfield
Check out the historical piece made by Prince Edward in recognition of Major Wingfield’s contribution to the emerging sport
1876
The
Renshaw
Rush
The series of the 7-time Wimbledon champion, showcasing the evolution from square to oval frames
1885 - 1907
Slazenger's Fishes -
The Demon
One of the most recognizable racquets of the 19th century - six versions of the Slazenger Demon
1888 - 1910
The
Doherty
Dominance
Discover the unique piece with an L14 grip, connected to Britain’s tennis legends at the turn of the century
1900
Wilson Sporting Goods - History of a Market Leader
Explore eleven legends that trace Wilson’s legacy as a global leader in tennis, from 1914 to today
1914 - today
The Maxply
See the evolution of one of the most important tennis racquets in history, from its 1932 debut to its final release in 1990
1932-1990
Hazell's Streamline Family Reunion
Featuring Hazell's eight tennis editions of the Streamline, along with the squash version and the two badminton releases, Mark I and Mark II
1935 - 1941
Jack Kramer - The Pioneering Promoter of Tennis
No one symbolised professionalisation of tennis quite like Jack Kramer
1947 - 1983
The Germans
Hammer was one of the leading tennis equipment manufacturers in the 1950s
1950-1955
Wilson
T2000
Learn about the racquet that marked the end of the wooden era
1967-1985
The Battle of the Sexes
Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs made history with their iconic match, famously known as the “Battle of the Sexes.”
September, 1973
The Class of Adidas
See the last historical pieces produced at Adidas’s Strasbourg factory before its 1996 closure
1975-1985
Năstase's Spaghetti Coup
Discover the original racquet used by Năstase to orchestrate his record-breaking victory over Vilas in 1977
1977
The Drama of Wimbledon
Björn Borg’s iconic victory over John McEnroe in 1980, a match that marked the peak of tennis’s classic era
July, 1980
The Ergonom
Explore the most extraordinary frames of the 1980s: Snauwaert’s Ergonom I & II
1982
Le Coq Sportif Concept Series
The instrument made famous by Yannick Noah, preserved in its original grip foil from February 1983 production
February, 1983
Boris Becker - The Youngest Wimbledon Champion
The Adidas/Lendl Connection
See the final GTX Pro-T crafted in Strassbourg during Ivan Lendl’s partnership with Adidas in the 1980s
1985 - 1987