As the Australian Open rages on Down Under this week, most fans won't realize just how much the game they love has evolved over the past several decades.
But tennis has, in fact, been dramatically altered by technology in ways that have changed how the biggest stars play the game and how fans consume it.
Rackets today are made from high-tech composite frames, which evolved from metal frames, which came from wood frames. In fact, players who played one of tennis' earliest predecessors are actually believed to have smacked the ball back and forth with their bare hands.
Playing surfaces are constructed from much more advanced materials now as well, and ball-tracking technology has grown by leaps and bounds. Medical technology has revolutionized how players stay safe and recover from injuries, while social media has completely transformed their relationship with the public.
For a more detailed look at how technology has changed tennis for the better, check out the infographic below, which comes by way of Australian accommodations site HotelClub.com. In the comments, below, let us know which innovations you think have been the most important.
