The ancestor of tennis was invented in the Middle Ages by French monks who wanted a little exercise in their cloister.

The sport was called “the palm game”, and it became so popular in France that even kings played it.

The principle? Two or four players hit the ball over a net.

At first with the palm of the hand, then with a leather glove, and finally with a battledore that became the racket.

But when did the “palm game” become tennis?