What is the Reason Behind a Lower Tennis Net in the Middle?
Tennis is an exciting sport that requires skill and strategy to win. But have you ever wondered why the net in tennis is lower in the middle than at either side? It’s an interesting piece of trivia, so let’s take a closer look at this phenomenon and find out what’s behind it.
History of Lowered Nets
The history of lowered tennis nets dates back to 1873 when Major Walter Clopton Wingfield came up with his version of lawn tennis which was played on an hourglass-shaped court with lower nets in the middle than at either end. This design allowed players to reach shots more easily while also making for better rallies as it required players to hit overhand more frequently. The net height gradually increased throughout the years until its current height – 3 feet 6 inches (1.07m) – was adopted by international rules in 1915, though others may still use different heights depending on their level or type of play.
Why Is There Still a Difference Nowadays?
Although modern technology has made it easier for players to reach higher balls, there are still several reasons why keeping some difference between net heights remains important today: for one, having a slightly lower net makes volleys easier since they don’t need as much power; secondly, it helps beginners who can make fewer mistakes due to shorter distances; lastly, it gives experienced players more options when playing longer points as they can vary their shots depending on where they are hitting them from or against whom they’re playing against without having too much difficulty reaching them if needed be.
Conclusion
Overall, there’s an interesting reason behind why most courts nowadays feature low-set nets in their centre – something that goes back all way down to 1873! The varying levels help create well-rounded matches that require both finesse and power while catering towards different types and levels of player ability alike. We hope this article has helped shed some light onto this fascinating topic!