The origin of tennis is unknown and no one is sure how far it's going. But one thing is certain, it's traveling at an accelerated pace.

A generation ago tennis was almost exclusively the property of the stuffy country clubs on the east coast.

 Now it's part of America.

 From tennis anyone, it has gone to tennis everyone.

 Suddenly, courts all over the nation are full.

 THERE IS NO specific reason for the boom in tennis, but there are nearly as many explanations are there are players. One could be the concern over health and exercise. Another could be that people have found it easier to get on a tennis court than a golf court. And, once there they have found it to be great fun.

 When it comes to tennis, as Cleveland goes so goes the nation.

 Tennis is probably the fastest growing sport in the U.S. and it is definitely the fastest blooming in out area.

 TEN YEARS AGO the Northeastern Ohio Tennis Association listed 50 players on its roster. Now its roll has more than 1,500 names. And there are many times that many players not registered.

There are more places to play, too.

There are more than 100,000 tennis courts in the United States and at least 7,000 new ones going up every year.

In the Cleveland area there are new courts being constructed almost daily. From the central city to all the suburbs new tennis courts have become major projects of the recreation departments. There are slow, fast and all weather surfaces. There are indoor courts and outdoor ones with lights.

 TENNIS IS BECOMING a year-round sport and its played from dawn to midnight. And everywhere there are lines waiting for a court.

Members of Kirtland Country Club have said that often it's more difficult to get on the tennis court than it is to get a golf starting time.

Players are happy, court builders are happy and sporting goods firms are bubbling.

Makers of tennis equipment report that 15.8 million balls were sold last year, more than a 50% increase. And sales are even more amazing in this area.

WILSON SPORTING GOODS officials say the sale of frames and racquets has increased 61% since last year; balls are up 13%, and men's tennis clothing is up 45%. And the women's wear… oo-la-la.

"The national market is now $25 million on tennis equipment and next year it should reach $35 million," predicts Al Oldenberg, Wilson district sales manager.

The Tennis boom is here and no one resents the noise.