100+ Tennis Trivia Questions and Answers to Test Your Tennis Knowledge

I’ve always loved how a good tennis match can bring people together, whether you’re watching a nail-biting Wimbledon final or just hitting some balls at your local court. But you know what makes tennis gatherings even more fun? Trivia! I remember hosting a tennis viewing party last summer where we played tennis trivia during breaks, and it was an absolute hit – even my friend who barely knew what a racquet was got totally into it!

That’s why I’ve put together this collection of 100+ tennis trivia questions and answers covering everything from tennis history and grand slams to player stats and fun facts. These questions are perfect for tennis clubs, watch parties, or just testing your knowledge while waiting for your court time.

Whether you’re a casual fan who enjoys the occasional match or a die-hard enthusiast who never misses a tournament, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s see how many you can get right!

Tennis History Trivia

The rich history of tennis spans centuries, from its origins in medieval monasteries to the global phenomenon it is today. These questions will take you through the fascinating evolution of the sport, major milestones, and how tennis transformed into the game we know and love.

What was the original name for tennis when it was played in medieval monasteries? Answer: Jeu de paume (game of the palm)
In what year was the first Wimbledon tournament held? Answer: 1877

Who won the first-ever men’s singles title at Wimbledon? Answer: Spencer Gore
When did tennis become an Olympic sport for the first time? Answer: 1896
What year did tennis return to the Olympics after a 64-year absence? Answer: 1988

What major innovation did Jimmy Van Alen introduce to tennis in the 1970s? Answer: The tiebreak system
Who was the first tennis player to earn one million dollars in prize money? Answer: Björn Borg
In what year did the Australian Open switch from grass to hard courts? Answer: 1988

What technology was first used at the 2006 US Open to help with line calls? Answer: Hawk-Eye electronic line calling
Which tournament was the first of the four Grand Slams to offer equal prize money to men and women? Answer: US Open (1973)
Who was the first Black player to win a Grand Slam singles title? Answer: Althea Gibson

What year did the Open Era begin, allowing professionals to compete with amateurs? Answer: 1968
Which major tournament was originally known as the U.S. National Championship? Answer: US Open
What surface was the US Open played on before switching to hard courts in 1978? Answer: Clay (1975-1977) and grass before that

Who invented the modern tennis scoring system? Answer: Major Walter Clopton Wingfield
What was the first Grand Slam tournament to be played on a synthetic surface? Answer: US Open
Which Grand Slam tournament was not held between 1940 and 1945 due to World War II? Answer: Wimbledon

In what year did Wimbledon first use yellow tennis balls instead of white? Answer: 1986
Who was the first player to win a Grand Slam tournament with a metal racquet? Answer: Jimmy Connors (1974 Australian Open)
What year did the French Open move to its current location at Roland Garros? Answer: 1928

Explore more fascinating history questions with our collection of philosophical questions that delve into deeper thinking about sports and competition.

Grand Slam Trivia

The four Grand Slam tournaments represent the pinnacle of achievement in tennis. From the scorching heat of the Australian Open to the pristine grass courts of Wimbledon, each has its own unique history and traditions. Test your knowledge of these prestigious events with these challenging questions.

Which Grand Slam tournament is played on clay courts? Answer: French Open

Who holds the record for most Grand Slam singles titles in men’s tennis? Answer: Novak Djokovic (24 as of October 2024)
Who has won the most Wimbledon singles titles in women’s tennis? Answer: Martina Navratilova (9)
What is the only Grand Slam tournament played on grass courts? Answer: Wimbledon

Which player achieved a Golden Slam by winning all four majors and an Olympic gold medal in the same year? Answer: Steffi Graf (1988)
What is the traditional food associated with Wimbledon? Answer: Strawberries and cream
Which Grand Slam tournament was the last to adopt a final set tiebreak? Answer: Wimbledon

Who was the youngest player to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open Era? Answer: Martina Hingis (16 years and 117 days at the 1997 Australian Open)
Which Grand Slam has a stadium named after Rod Laver? Answer: Australian Open
What is the name of the main show court at the French Open? Answer: Court Philippe-Chatrier

Who has won the most consecutive Wimbledon titles in men’s singles? Answer: Roger Federer (5, from 2003-2007)
Which player has won the most US Open singles titles in the Open Era? Answer: Serena Williams (6 titles, tied with Chris Evert)
What is unique about the Australian Open’s extreme heat policy compared to other Grand Slams? Answer: It has a heat stress scale that can lead to roof closures and match suspensions

Which Grand Slam was the first to implement a retractable roof? Answer: Australian Open (Rod Laver Arena, 1988)
Who was the last American man to win the French Open singles title? Answer: Andre Agassi (1999)
What color is the clay at the French Open? Answer: Red

Which Grand Slam tournament features night sessions that often go well past midnight? Answer: US Open
Who was the last player to win the calendar-year Grand Slam in men’s singles? Answer: Rod Laver (1969)
What trophy is awarded to the men’s singles champion at Wimbledon? Answer: The Challenge Cup

Which Grand Slam tournament was briefly held in December? Answer: Australian Open (1977)

Looking for more competitive fun? Check out our collection of would you rather questions that you can adapt for tennis fans and players.

Famous Players Trivia

The world of tennis has been graced by some of the most extraordinary athletes in sports history. From the elegant play of Roger Federer to the power and determination of Serena Williams, these questions celebrate the champions who have defined tennis across generations.

Which tennis player is known as “The King of Clay”? Answer: Rafael Nadal
Who is the only player to have won each Grand Slam tournament at least four times in the Open Era? Answer: Novak Djokovic
Which sisters have faced each other in nine Grand Slam singles finals? Answer: Venus and Serena Williams

Which player is famous for their two-handed forehand and backhand? Answer: Monica Seles
Who was nicknamed “Pistol Pete” for his powerful serve? Answer: Pete Sampras
Which player won 74 consecutive matches in the 1984 season? Answer: John McEnroe

Who is the oldest player to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open Era? Answer: Ken Rosewall (37 years, 2 months at the 1972 Australian Open)
Which player was known as “The Ice Maiden” for her cool demeanor on court? Answer: Chris Evert
What is Roger Federer’s signature shot? Answer: Inside-out forehand
Which champion was known for saying “You cannot be serious!” to umpires? Answer: John McEnroe

Who was the first mother to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era? Answer: Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1980 Wimbledon)
Which player from Spain was known as “The Barcelona Bumblebee”? Answer: Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
Who was the youngest male player to be ranked world No. 1? Answer: Carlos Alcaraz (19 years old)

Which player popularized the between-the-legs “tweener” shot? Answer: Guillermo Vilas (though many associate it with Roger Federer)
Who is known for the “Sabatini drop shot”? Answer: Gabriela Sabatini
Which player won an Olympic gold medal in singles at age 16? Answer: Jennifer Capriati (1992)

Who holds the record for most weeks ranked as world No. 1 in men’s tennis? Answer: Novak Djokovic
Which player was known for their distinctive one-handed backhand and headband? Answer: Björn Borg
Who was the first player from Asia to win a Grand Slam singles title? Answer: Li Na (2011 French Open)

Which player had the nickname “Crocodile” and later created a famous clothing brand? Answer: René Lacoste

For more fun with friends or at tennis club gatherings, try our interesting topics to talk about that can spark great conversations between matches.

Tennis Records and Statistics

The world of tennis is filled with incredible achievements, unbelievable statistics, and records that have stood the test of time. From marathon matches to perfect seasons, these questions highlight some of the most remarkable moments in tennis history.

What is the longest tennis match in history? Answer: John Isner vs. Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon 2010 (11 hours and 5 minutes over three days)
What was the final score in the fifth set of the Isner-Mahut match? Answer: 70-68
Who holds the record for the fastest recorded serve in men’s tennis? Answer: Sam Groth (263 km/h or 163.4 mph)

Who holds the record for the fastest recorded serve in women’s tennis? Answer: Sabine Lisicki (210.8 km/h or 131 mph)
Which player won 24 Grand Slam singles titles before the Open Era began? Answer: Margaret Court
Who has won the most Olympic gold medals in tennis? Answer: Venus Williams (5 – 1 singles, 4 doubles)

What’s the record for most aces in a single match? Answer: John Isner (113 aces against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon 2010)
Who completed a career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles? Answer: Serena Williams
Which player has won the most Davis Cup titles? Answer: Roy Emerson (8 titles with Australia)

Who holds the record for most consecutive weeks at world No. 1 in women’s tennis? Answer: Steffi Graf (186 weeks)
Which player has won the most Masters 1000 titles? Answer: Novak Djokovic
What is the longest winning streak in tennis history? Answer: Martina Navratilova (74 consecutive matches in 1984)

Who is the youngest player to complete a Career Grand Slam? Answer: Rafael Nadal (24 years and 3 days)
Which player won a Grand Slam title without losing a single set? Answer: Multiple players, including Rafael Nadal (2017 French Open) and Roger Federer (2007 Australian Open)
Who has the most career singles titles in the Open Era? Answer: Jimmy Connors (109)

Which player has the record for most French Open singles titles? Answer: Rafael Nadal (14)
Who has won the most WTA Finals championships? Answer: Martina Navratilova (8)
Which player has the highest winning percentage in the Open Era? Answer: Björn Borg (82.4%)

Who holds the record for most Grand Slam doubles titles in women’s tennis? Answer: Martina Navratilova (31)
Which men’s player has won all four Grand Slams on three different surfaces? Answer: Rafael Nadal

After testing your tennis knowledge, why not explore deep topics to talk about with fellow tennis enthusiasts to understand what draws people to this amazing sport?

Tennis Rules and Equipment

Understanding the technical aspects of tennis adds another dimension to appreciating the sport. From the precise specifications of equipment to the sometimes confusing rules, these questions will test your knowledge of the game’s finer details.

How wide is a standard tennis court for singles matches? Answer: 27 feet (8.23 meters)
What is the minimum height that a tennis net should be at the center? Answer: 3 feet (0.914 meters)

How many Grand Slam tournaments allow coaching during matches as of 2024? Answer: All four (coaching from stands now allowed at all majors)
What does “deuce” mean in tennis scoring? Answer: The score is tied at 40-40
What is the term for when a ball clips the net during a serve but still lands in the correct service box? Answer: Let

How many balls are in play during a professional tournament? Answer: 6 (with 3 used for each game)
What is the maximum allowed length of a tennis racquet? Answer: 29 inches (73.7 cm)
What’s the name of the shot where a player hits the ball without letting it bounce? Answer: Volley

What is a “bagel” in tennis terminology? Answer: Winning a set 6-0
How long is the maximum allowed break between sets in Grand Slam matches? Answer: 120 seconds (2 minutes), except bathroom breaks
What is the minimum number of games needed to win a standard set? Answer: 6 (if winning 6-0)

What does ATP stand for? Answer: Association of Tennis Professionals
What does WTA stand for? Answer: Women’s Tennis Association
What is the rule regarding foot faults on serve? Answer: The server cannot touch the baseline or court with their foot before striking the ball
How many minutes are players allowed for a toilet break? Answer: 3 minutes (plus 2 minutes for changing clothes if needed)

What is the diameter of a tennis ball according to official regulations? Answer: Between 2.57 and 2.70 inches (6.54-6.86 cm)
How much does a tennis ball weigh according to official regulations? Answer: Between 56.0 and 59.4 grams
What is a “tweener” in tennis? Answer: A between-the-legs shot

What surface has the ITF classification of “Category 5”? Answer: Indoor carpet
What is the “service box” in tennis? Answer: The area where a served ball must land

For more fun activities between matches, check out our collection of random questions to ask a guy or gal at your tennis club to get to know each other better.

Fun Tennis Facts

Beyond the statistics and famous names, tennis is full of fascinating trivia, unusual traditions, and surprising facts. These questions highlight some of the more unique and entertaining aspects of the sport that even dedicated fans might not know.

What color were tennis balls originally before the now-standard yellow/optic green? Answer: White
Which Grand Slam has a tennis court that changes names depending on the time of day? Answer: US Open (Arthur Ashe Stadium becomes “Arthur Ashe Stadium under the lights” for night sessions)

Which tournament famously has strawberries and cream as its traditional food? Answer: Wimbledon
Approximately how many tennis balls are used during the Wimbledon tournament? Answer: About 54,000
Which Grand Slam tournament has a bronze statue of Fred Perry? Answer: Wimbledon

What was unusual about the 2012 Olympic tennis tournament? Answer: It was held at Wimbledon, just weeks after the Wimbledon Championships
Which tennis player appeared on the TV show “Friends”? Answer: Pete Sampras (and several others made cameos)
What does “love” mean in tennis scoring? Answer: Zero
What unusual ritual does Rafael Nadal perform before each point? Answer: He adjusts his shorts, touches his nose, tucks hair behind ears, and touches his shoulders in a specific sequence

What is tennis elbow? Answer: Inflammation of tendons that join the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow
Which tennis tournament has a tradition of players bowing or curtseying to the royal box? Answer: Wimbledon (though now only done when the monarch or Prince of Wales is present)
What is the origin of the term “Grand Slam” in tennis? Answer: It was borrowed from the card game bridge

Which tennis tournament has a retractable roof that was installed after a series of rain delays? Answer: Wimbledon (Centre Court)
What animal has been an unofficial mascot of the Australian Open? Answer: The kangaroo
Which famous tennis tournament is known for the signature cocktail “Honey Deuce”? Answer: US Open

For more fun trivia for your tennis group, check out our common sense trivia questions that can provide a refreshing break from tennis-specific knowledge.

Why Tennis Trivia is Perfect for Any Tennis Gathering

Tennis trivia isn’t just fun—it’s a fantastic way to learn more about this incredible sport while bonding with fellow fans. I’ve found that mixing knowledge and entertainment creates the perfect atmosphere for any tennis gathering, whether it’s during rain delays at your club tournament or while watching major championships on TV.

What I love most about tennis trivia is how it bridges the gap between casual viewers and hardcore fans. My nephew barely knew any players beyond Serena Williams when he started joining our tennis watch parties, but after a few rounds of trivia, he was dropping facts about Rod Laver and the evolution of racquet technology!

Plus, these questions can spark amazing conversations and debates about greatest matches, controversial calls, and legendary players that might otherwise never come up. It’s like having a tennis history lesson wrapped in a fun game!

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ve enjoyed testing your tennis knowledge with these 100+ trivia questions! Whether you’re a seasoned tennis enthusiast or just getting interested in the sport, trivia is a fantastic way to learn more about this amazing game and its rich history.

Next time you’re watching a match with friends, waiting for your court time, or just looking to impress fellow tennis fans, pull out some of these questions and see who knows their tennis facts best. My family has a tradition of doing tennis trivia before each Grand Slam final, and I’ve found it really enhances everyone’s enjoyment of the match that follows.

Did you manage to answer all the questions correctly? Or did you learn something new about the sport we all love? Either way, tennis trivia brings people together and deepens our appreciation for the game.

For more conversation starters and trivia questions on different topics, be sure to explore our website. Game, set, match!