Tom Pettitt ((1859-12-19)19 December 1859 - (1946-10-17)17 October 1946) was a British born real tennis player domiciled in the United States.

Born in Beckenham, Kent, England, Pettitt emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts, United States, as a penniless teenager.

[2] He began playing matches in Great Britain and France to improve his game, and finally challenged George Lambert at the Royal Tennis Court, Hampton Court Palace, for the world championship in 1885.

He is credited with inventing the railroad, a fast overarm service that runs the length of the penthouse with a reverse twist.

[3] In 1883 he played against the amateur two time U.S. National champion Richard Sears who in beat in four sets.