From the hallowed grass of Wimbledon to public parks across the globe, tennis is a sporting institution. Yet, few fans know its world-class story began not in London or Paris, but in the heart of Birmingham.
The Edgbaston Invention: A Game is Born
In 1859, two local enthusiasts, Major Harry Gem and his friend Augurio Perera, created the earliest version of lawn tennis. Their pioneering matches took place on the croquet lawn at Perera's home on Ampton Road in Edgbaston.
Over the following decade, they meticulously developed the rules. This groundwork led directly to the establishment of the planet's first dedicated lawn tennis clubs right there in the Birmingham suburb. These included the Edgbaston Archery & Lawn Tennis Society, founded in 1860, and the Priory Lawn Tennis Club, established in 1875.
Birmingham's Enduring Mark on the Sport
The city quickly became a hub for competitive play. A landmark moment came in 1881 when an open tournament was held in Edgbaston. This event evolved into the annual Midland Counties Tournament, with a committee donating a cup worth 25 guineas – equivalent to around £1,250 today.
The legacy extended to Wimbledon itself. The finalists of the 1881 ladies' competition in Edgbaston were the Watson sisters from Solihull, Maud and Lillian. They went on to compete in the inaugural Wimbledon Ladies' singles final in 1884, directly linking Birmingham's innovation to the sport's most famous stage.
The Priory Club's Lasting Significance
Today, the Edgbaston Priory Club remains a vital international sporting venue, a living testament to the area's foundational role. It continues to host prestigious women's tournaments, honouring the location where the sport first made waves.
While we now commonly call it simply 'tennis', the sport's governing body in Britain retains the original name: the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), a permanent nod to its grassy beginnings. From a croquet lawn in Edgbaston to a global spectacle featuring legends like Federer and Williams, Birmingham's hidden history is one of world-class sporting invention.
