The modern game of tennis dates from 1874, when the rules were defined by Major Walter Clopton Wingfield. Published in association with the All England Lawn Tennis Club (Wimbledon), this book examines the history of the rules of tennis from their first codification to the present day.

The modern game of tennis was first invented as late as the 1870s. Tennis had been known for hundreds of years but was played on an indoor court and was thus only really available to the rich. In 1873 Walter Winglefield introduced the world to the game that was to become lawn tennis and decided to call it sphairistike. Here is a facsimile reprint of the Rules of 1874, featuring press comments, a list of players and a price list for all the equipment.