Manchester City Library

Wimbledon just finished, and the U.S. Open will start at the end of month. Tennis has an interesting history. It is believed to have originated in Northern France in the 12^th century by monks. Tennis was first played by using the palm of the hand to strike the ball. It was called “Jeu de Paume” meaning game of the palm. Rackets were introduced in the 16^th century. Tennis balls used to be white, but in 1986: the color changed to yellow. This change was made for people watching at home. At Wimbledon, there is a Harris Hawk named Rufus. His job is to keep the court clear of any birds. He has his own Twitter page; he is known as the “Bird Scarer.” This August, stop by the library and have a look at the tennis display on the second floor. Get to know the different tennis pros (past and present) and learn fun little tidbits. Check out a book or DVD about tennis today.