Over the years, tennis can be said to be one of the most popular and commercialized individual sports.

Players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and many others are among the most marketable athletes globally, enjoying highly lucrative sponsorship deals compared to athletes in any other sport.

Almost everyone has tried playing tennis at some point in their lives, and it remains one of the most popular sports. Speaking of which, there are still some surprising facts about tennis that might even astonish the most ardent tennis fans:

1. Tennis originated in France, based on a game called "Jeu de Paume."

Long before the emergence of lawn tennis, there was a game called "Jeu de Paume," translating to "game of the palm," which dates back to the 12th century. This game was similar to tennis, but players didn't use rackets; instead, they used their palms to hit the ball.

2. The oldest tennis court in the world is still in use.

Stubborn tennis enthusiasts, add this to your bucket list! The Royal Tennis Court at Hampton Court Palace in London is the oldest in the world and is still in use to this day. This court was built between 1526 and 1529, and commissioned by Henry VIII. However, the matches played on this court differ slightly from modern tennis—it's referred to as "real tennis" and is played indoors.

3. The scoring system is based on a clock face.

The origins of the 15, 30, and 40 scoring systems have been lost to time, but the most common explanation is that they are based on a clock face at one end of the court. The first point is the first quarter the clock's minute hand strikes, hence 15, the second point is the second quarter struck, and since 45 is a mouthful, the third point was shortened to 40.

4. Jimmy Connors won the US Open on three different surfaces.

Jimmy Connors was one of the icons of the late '70s and '80s matches. Not only was he renowned for his tennis skills, but also for his antics on the court and constant rivalry with compatriot John McEnroe.

Connors is the only player to have won the prestigious US Open Grand Slam on three different surfaces. He won in Forest Hills on grass in 1974, on clay in 1976, and on hardcourt at Flushing Meadows in 1978. This illustrates Connors' versatility in winning championships on different surfaces.

5. A Grand Slam final was completed in 34 minutes.

Considering many Grand Slam finals are typically fiercely contested, some lasting close to six hours, this is indeed a surprising fact. A match ending within 34 minutes, whether a final or not, is almost unheard of. Yet, this occurred in the 1988 Roland Garros final where the iconic tennis player Steffi Graf won against Natasha 6-0, 6-0. This just goes to show Graf's dominance during her peak.

6. A 13-year-old participated in Wimbledon.

This is one of the most incredible facts on this list. Hearing about a 13-year-old participating in one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world is rare, yet it did happen. In 1907, Austrian tennis player Mitzi Kremer became the youngest ever player to participate in Wimbledon.

She competed in this famous tournament at the age of 13. Unfortunately, she lost in the first round. Nevertheless, participating in such a renowned tournament at the age of 13 is a remarkable achievement.

7. The tennis ball stays in play for about 20 minutes in a standard match.

As most of us have witnessed, a formal competitive tennis match typically lasts around 2 hours, if not longer. But did you know, that in a standard 2.5-hour match, the tennis ball is in motion for only about 20 minutes? Professional players, of course, spend a lot of time resting during matches; however, given the intensity of this sport, it's necessary.

8. Maria Sharapova's grunts were louder than airplanes.

Maria Sharapova's grunts or shrieks on the tennis court have been officially recorded at a volume of up to 101 decibels. This is louder than a motorcycle, a lawnmower, and a small airplane landing. Its volume is also comparable to an ambulance siren, being only 5 decibels lower than a lion's roar. And guess what, Sharapova isn't even the loudest player! Michelle Larcher de Brito's grunts have been recorded at 109 decibels.

These surprising facts shed light on the rich history and intriguing aspects of the sport of tennis.