This article examines the connections between (lawn) tennis in Britain and the Great War (1914–1918). While previous historical research has suggested a four-year hiatus, in fact the sport continued to be played during the war, recreationally and among servicemen/women and more elite players in exhibition matches. Anecdotes about the cessation of tournaments and restricted play were interspersed with debates about the appropriateness of continuing play recreationally, as the ‘gentleman in tennis flannels’ became a symbol of public censure. Alongside enlistment, tennis players responded to the call byoffering their club facilities to the war effort, digging up courts to plant vegetables, hosting charity matches, and providing entertainment for convalescent soldiers. This analysis highlights the significance of tennis as a vehicle to promote a kind of British identity, as responses to the war as seen through tennis reflected broader sporting ideals, privileging amateurism, fair play and the ‘stuff upper lip’.

本文研究了英国（草地）网球与大战（1914-1918年）之间的联系。尽管以前的历史研究表明这项运动已经中断了四年，但实际上，这项运动在战争期间仍在继续进行，无论是娱乐性的还是军人/妇女以及更多的精英运动员参加比赛。关于“停止比赛和限制比赛”的轶事散布着关于娱乐性继续比赛的适当性的辩论，因为“网球法兰绒的绅士”成为公开谴责的象征。除应征入伍外，网球运动员还通过为战时活动提供俱乐部设施，挖掘球场种植蔬菜，举办慈善比赛以及为康复中的士兵提供娱乐活动来回应这一呼吁。