Physics of Tennis

When was tennis invented?

Tennis was invented in the 1870s. Specifically around 1873 where it was designed in England.

When was tennis invented?

Who invented tennis?

Tennis was first introduced by Walter Clopton Wingfield. He first introduced the sport with rubber balls in 1850. Walter Clopton Wingfield created the rules and sports equipment for the game which would be called tennis later in the 1870s.

Who invented tennis?

How much has it changed?

Although tennis was first introduced in the 1850s and played in 1870s, it was formally recognized in 1973. But it wasn't until after the rules and equipment were created was when it evolved into lawn tennis. These rules were later updated by the All England Croquet Club, creating the modern game of tennis we play today.

How much has it changed?

How is it played?

Tennis is played on a rectangular court, which can be made of many different surfaces. Players stand on either side of a net and use a stringed racket to hit a tennis ball back and forth to each other.

How is tennis played?

Main Goal of Tennis:

Tennis is made up of many different parts. You have games, sets, and matches. The goal is to get enough points to win a game, win enough points to win a set, and win enough points to win a match.

Main goal of tennis

Number of Players:

Tennis can either be played with two players (singles match) or with four players (doubles match).

Number of Players

Other Information:

Some other information to know is that players cannot touch the net or posts. They cannot cross onto the other players side. Players cannot carry the ball in their hands or catch it with their racket. They cannot hit the ball twice. Players must wait until the ball passes over the net before they return it.

Other Information

Top Players in Tennis (single match):

Women:

1. Iga Swiatek (7181 points)

2. Paula Badosa (5045 points)

3. Barbora Krejcikova (5043 points)

Top Players

Men:

1. Novak Djokovic (8260 points)

2. Daniil Medvedev (7990 points)

3. Alexander Zverev (7020 points)

Physical Characteristics of the Players:

Physical Characteristics

Players must be taller so they have proportionally longer limbs. With long legs they can push off the ground harder and are able to go to places faster. With long arms they are able to swing the racket with more force so the ball, when hitting the racket, will bounce of with more velocity.

The Racket:

The physics behind a tennis racket comes from Newtons Second Law. Depending on how much mass and acceleration you carry onto the racket depends on how much force the ball will bounce off with.

Physics behind the Racket.

The racket has a round, stringed end, connected to a slim handle. The round part allows the ball better accuracy of hitting the racket. The handle is usually wrapped with athletic tape for a better grip.

Physics of the Tennis Ball:

Tennis balls have the physics of Newton's first law. The ball will be resting until a player picks it up and uses it. It will also be in motion unless a player catches the ball or it rolls to a stop.

Physics behind the Tennis Balls

Tennis balls are bouncy allowing the player to easily hit it over a net. It is also lightweight. Tennis balls have the fuzzy material on them so the friction stops the ball from going crazy fast.

Physics behind Tennis Shoes:

The tennis shoes are also Newton's first law. They are made from a special material that allows the players to do quick stops and starts to get to the ball.

Physics behind Tennis Shoes

Tennis shoes are specifically used on court playing because of its durable out-sole. This makes it easier for the player to stop and start, without putting intense stress on their feet. They have a more rubbery bottom so they can run on weird surfaces like clay, and grass.

Other Clothes:

Most players wear short sleeves or sleeveless depending on the weather, some type of pant, skirts or shorts, and tennis shoes. Women usually wear shorts for casual wear but as it gets more competitive skirts are required.

Physics behind Other Clothing

All these clothes make it easier to play. By wearing these clothes it makes it easier to move around, and stop and start. It also helps them not overheat and have sweaty hands.

Tennis does have safety equipment but it does not relate to physics. Safety equipment includes: first aid kits, sunscreen, and water.

Tennis Ball in Motion:

Velocity: The ball has no velocity unless it is picked up and in play by the player. Velocity makes the ball travel over the net. It gains velocity until it dips and bounces off the ground. It then regains velocity heading towards the other player.

Momentum: The momentum of the ball is how much mass the ball has and what the velocity of the ball is combined. The ball gains momentum when it is hit by the racket, slows down before it hits the ground, and gains momentum again to reach the other player.

Movement of a Tennis Ball

Projectile motion: This motion happens when the ball is being hit by the racket and it is slowly arching towards the ground.

Centripetal force: There is no centripetal force.

Motion of the Racket:

Velocity: The velocity happens when the player swings it into motion to hit the ball. The racket is swung across the players body and than to a stop after hitting the ball. Depends on the mass and acceleration.

Momentum: The momentum of the racket depends on the mass and velocity of the racket. Momentum starts when the player starts to swing their arm to hit the ball. It then slows down to hit the ball than regains after.

Movement of a Racket

Projectile motion: There is no projectile motion.

Centripetal force: The racket only has centripetal force when it is being swung across the players body after hitting the ball.

Motion of Player:

Velocity: Velocity first happens when players goes in for a serve. They must swing their arm for the racket to hit the ball. It also happens when the player runs to get the ball and swing their arm with the racket.

Momentum: The momentum is how much the player weighs and how fast or slow their velocity is. They have momentum when going to serve or get the ball. The player constantly starts and stops to reach the ball.

Movement of a Tennis Player

Projectile motion: There is no projectile motion.

Centripetal force: There is centripetal force when the player swings their arm across their body.

First Example:

The first example is the player. The player will be at rest until they move. They will also keep moving until they stop and rest for a short period of time while taking break or waiting for the other player to return the ball.

First Example

Second Example:

The second example is the racket. The racket will not be in motion unless picked up and used. It will also be in motion until the player puts it down or stops moving that arm.

Second Example

Third Example:

The third example is the ball. The ball will be in motion whilst in play. It will be bounced between the two players. Unless the ball is caught or put away it will stay in motion. Same if it isn't picked up immediately after rolling away. It will stop being at rest when a player picks it up to serve, or put it back in play.

Third Example

Example One:

The first example is the racket. The force of the racket depends on the mass and acceleration of it. The acceleration is how fast the player is swinging their arm and the mass is the mass of the racket.

Example One

Example Two:

The second example is the ball. The ball will fly faster or slowler depending on the force. The mass is dependent on the mass of the racket and the ball. The acceleration is how fast the racket is moving and how fast the ball is traveling.

Example Two

First Example:

One example is the racket and the ball. When the ball is coming toward the player, the player must do the action of swinging the racket at the ball. The reaction is the ball hitting the racket, bouncing off, and flying over the net.

First Example

Second Example:

The second example is the player swinging the racket. When the player goes to hit the ball they need to get their racket in position. Their action is to swing their arm to get the racket in position. The reaction is the racket moving and getting into position to hit the ball.

Second Example

Third Example:

The third example is the ball being sent over the net. The action is the ball going over the net and hitting the ground. The reaction is the ball bouncing off the ground and going towards the other player.

Third Example

Sliding Friction in Tennis:

Sliding Friction

Sliding friction is a part of tennis. The example is when the ball hits the racket. When the ball hits the racket, the ball will slide against the stringed part of the racket to create sliding friction.

Rolling Friction in Tennis:

The example of rolling friction deals with the ball. Sometimes when being sent to another player, that player misses the ball, missing their chance to return it. When missed, the ball bounces on the ground and than rolls to a stop.

Rolling Friction

Fluid Friction in Tennis:

When a player is moving acorss the court they are creating fluid friction. Since air is one thing that creates fluid friction when an object moves through it, tennis has fluid friction because of the player moving through air (which is a gas).

Fluid Friction