Charles Goodyear invented a process for rubber called vulcanisation which among other things made the material more bouncy.

So that meant tennis balls could be used outdoors on grass which called for an entirely new set of rules.

In London in 1874, Major Charles Wingfield patented the equipment and rules for a game which he called Sphairistiké, the Greek for 'playing at ball'.

Wingfield claimed it was based on an ancient Greek game which combined many elements of the existing indoor racket sports of badminton, court tennis and squash.

Wingfield's original court was shaped like an hourglass and shorter than the modern court.

His rules were also much criticised and he changed them in 1875.