Tennis
Tennis has a long history, but its establishment as the modern sport can be dated to two separate roots. In 1856, Alex Ryden, a solicitor, and his friend Batista Pereira, a Spanish merchant, who both lived in Birmingham, England played a game they named "pelota" after a Spanish ball game. The game was played on a lawn in Edgbaston. In 1872 both men moved to Leamington Spa, and with two doctors from the Warneford Hospital, played pelota on the lawn behind the Manor House Hotel. Pereira joined with Dr. Frederick Haynes and Dr. A. Wellesley Tomkins to found the first lawn tennis club in the world, and played the game on nearby lawns. In 1874 they formed the Leamington Tennis Club, setting out the original rules of the game. The Courier of July 23, 1884 recorded one of the first tennis tournaments, held in the grounds of Shrubland Hall. 

Henderson State University hosts a tournament for men and women’s, singles and doubles, along with mixed doubles.  Matches will be played with three sets to four.  Participants must win by two games. In the past 12 men and eight women have participated in this tournament. Typically matches are hosted in the early evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  T-shirts will be awarded to champions.