From Diderot's Encyclopedie OU Dictionnaire Des Sience

In Fance... in England ... in Italy ... tennis has been sport through bear interesting legends and quaint tailes of royality. In a description of early Paris it is stated that the HOtel de Nesle, with a tennis-court, etc., was sold to Phillippe le Bel in 1308--probably one of the most ancient courts in the world. Louis X (1314-1380) forbade tennis as a pastime in Paris because the public had been playing this game intended only for nobles. Charles VI (1399) amused himself watching the players in the ditch of his chateau where he was confined for insanity.

About 1427, the forerunner of Susan Lenglen ... Mademoiselle Magot, the "Joan of Arc of Tennis" appeared on the scene. She defeated all, playing , according to the records, both forehanded and backhanded, supassing all men of her time.

Early Book Illustration of Tennis Play