Real tennis, also known as court tennis, royal tennis, or jeu de paume, is the precursor to modern lawn tennis, commonly referred to simply as tennis.
Real tennis dates back to the 13th century, and is rich in tradition and refined by generations of noble players and enthusiasts. Often called the "sport of kings," real tennis is both a historical artifact and a contemporary sport played on courts that are architectural relics of the past.
Its charm lies not only in its complicated rules and strategy but also in its dedication to tradition through the use of handcrafted equipment and age-old etiquette.
The origins of real tennis can be traced back to the medieval game of jeu de paume, originally played with the hand and later evolving to include specialized equipment. Initially popular among the aristocracy and clergy, the game spread across Europe, where it was embraced in monasteries and royal courts alike. Notably, English monarchs, such as Henry VIII, indulged in the sport, and historic courts, like the one at Hampton Court Palace, remain in use today.
Over time, as a more streamlined variant of the game emerged on the lawns of modern clubs, becoming better known than the original, the earlier game earned the moniker "real tennis" to distinguish it from its descendant, lawn tennis.
Real tennis is played on an indoor court with a uniquely irregular layout that offers an entirely different challenge from modern tennis. Unlike the uniform rectangular courts of lawn tennis, real tennis courts are enclosed by asymmetrical walls, sloping roofs called penthouses, and various openings such as the dedans and galleries. These architectural features are not merely decorative; they play active roles in gameplay. For example, players can use the sloping surfaces to rebound the ball, adding layers of strategy that resemble a chess match as much as a physical contest. The scoring system, while starting similarly to lawn tennis with increments of 15 and 30, incorporates an additional element known as "chases." In these situations, the position of the ball after its second bounce can set up extra challenges or opportunities, contributing to the multifaceted game.
Today, real tennis is a niche sport, celebrated for its exclusivity and historical continuity. There are only about 45 active courts scattered across the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and the United States, with a handful of additional disused courts testifying to its once broader popularity.
Despite its limited geographical spread, real tennis hosts a variety of high-level competitions, from local club tournaments to world championship challenge matches, where the title is defended in traditional challenge contests. Organized bodies, such as the United States Court Tennis Association, play a pivotal role in nurturing the sport and organizing regular competitions that maintain a community of dedicated players and enthusiasts.
One of the most striking differences between real tennis and its modern counterpart is in its equipment. The wooden, asymmetrical racquets of real tennis are approximately 27 inches long and are strung with very tight nylon strings to withstand the impact of heavy, handmade balls. These balls are made from a cork core wound tightly with fabric tape and then enveloped in a dense, hand-sewn layer of woolen cloth - traditionally Melton cloth. This contrasts sharply with the mass-produced, pressurized rubber balls and high-tech composite racquets of lawn tennis. The real tennis ball's reduced bounciness and greater weight (around 71 grams compared to 57 grams for a lawn tennis ball) demand greater precision, strategy, and a different style of play that emphasizes angles, anticipation, and methodical shot placement.
Much of the allure of real tennis is in its seamless blend of ancient tradition and competitive spirit. Its intricate court design, complex scoring subtleties, and reliance on handcrafted equipment create an experience that is both mentally challenging and physically engaging. The game provides players a chance to experience a sport much as it was enjoyed by kings and scholars centuries ago. These traditions, maintained through centuries of wear and change, provide not only an athletic challenge but also a tangible connection to art, architecture, and history.
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Founded in 2002, this is a private members' club for enthusiasts of real tennis, a historic precursor to modern tennis. The Society organizes tennis matches, tournaments, and social events while also raising funds for good causes, particularly junior real tennis. The Society also runs the British Real Tennis Academy and the Dedanists' Foundation, a UK-based charity dedicated to promoting the sport among junior players. Players, fixtures, match reports, and contacts are provided.
https://www.dedanists.org/
Hatfield House Real Tennis Club
The historic sports venue is in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, offering the chance to play real tennis, the predecessor of modern lawn tennis and squash. The club offers coaching, competitive play, and various membership options for enthusiasts of all skill levels. The game and its rules are defined on the club's website, along with the club's history, coaching services, Pro Shop, booking sheets, contacts, and a private members' area of the website with various resources.
https://www.hatfieldhouserealtennis.com/
Originally constructed in 1889, the historic real tennis club facilities are a Grade II listed building, offering real tennis and sticky tennis on its iconic court in Holyport, Berkshire, England. The Club has a thriving membership and is known for its welcoming atmosphere and excellent facilities. Membership rates, court fees, and lesson rates are listed, and an introduction to the club is provided, along with its location, availability for corporate events, and contacts.
https://www.hrtc.co.uk/
International Real Tennis Professionals Association
The IRTPA is the principal organization for representing, supporting, and advancing the interests of all professionals involved in the sport of real tennis. The IRTPA actively manages the competitive landscape of real tennis, and its website features current world rankings, details of upcoming ranking tournaments, and news updates. The organization also collaborates with entities like RT42 to provide coaching resources, instructional videos, and other training materials.
https://www.irtpa.com/
Located on Matthew Bank between Jesmond and South Gosforth, a few miles north of Newcastle city centre, the Jesmond Dene Real Tennis Club is one of only 27 real tennis courts in the United Kingdom and 42 in the world. The club offers introductory sessions and free membership trials for those interested in learning the game. Its history, professionals, membership information, and photographs of the facilities are set forth, along with the rules of the game, and contact data.
https://www.jdrtc.com/
Ladies Real Tennis Association
The LRTA is dedicated to promoting and supporting women's participation in real tennis at all levels. The Association organizes tournaments, provides rankings, and fosters an active community for female players worldwide. Formed in 1981, the LRTA does not have its own courts, but considers Seacourt, in South Hayling, England, as its home. The organization's history, membership levels and benefits, programs, schedules, and player profiles are featured on its website.
https://ladiesrealtennis.com/
Moreton Morrell Tennis Court Club
Built in 1905 by Joseph Bickley, the historic tennis club is situated in Combrook, Warwickshire, England, and is renowned for its commitment to real tennis, an older form of the game. The club offers lessons, tournaments, and a shop for tennis enthusiasts. An introduction to the club and its facilities is provided, including membership information, court fees, fixtures, events, club news, contacts, and an online shop offering branded apparel and other merchandise.
https://www.mmtcc.org/
The Oratory Real Tennis Club is situated at the Oratory School in the United Kingdom, which is home to one of the country's 27 real tennis courts. The club hosts various tournaments, including those for prep schools, public schools, and even the World Championships, which it hosted in 2006. Its website introduces the game, its background, rules, handicapping system, and associations, along with photo and video galleries, location, a map, opening times, and contact data.
https://ortc.uk/
This site explores the Royal Game of Tennis, the precursor to our modern game of tennis, as it was played between 1470 and 1700, with a focus on the history of the game as it was played by the Tudor and Stuart kings, as well as real tennis as it is played today. Its rules, an introduction to the first book of tennis, tennis-playing princes, a directory of Royal Tennis courts, evidences of tennis in art, and a lengthy blog entitles "Caravaggio Blog," which delves into the history of the game.
https://www.real-tennis.nl/
RT (Real Tennis) 42 is an online hub for the real tennis community. Developed as a collaborative effort to serve players, clubs, and enthusiasts worldwide, the online resource features introductory guides for newcomers, historical insights on the sport, videos, news updates, and tools for club management and player connectivity, as well as a glossary of terms, coaching data, rules, and a detailed description of the game, its history, court, equipment, and places where the game might be played.
https://rt42.org/
The T&RA is the governing body for the sport of real tennis and (hard) rackets in the United Kingdom. Formed in 1907, the organization is responsible for promoting, growing, and governing both sports (Real Tennis and Rackets) in the UK. Its objectives are explicitly restricted to the advancement of amateur sport for the benefit of the public, and include governance, organizing tournaments, encouraging participation among young people, and providing grants to clubs, schools, and universities.
https://www.tennisandrackets.com/
United States Court Tennis Association
The USCTA is the governing body for the sport of real tennis in the United States. Originating in 1955, the USCTA website lists nine active real tennis clubs, each with courts, as well as a dormant (but existing) court in Greentree, Manhasset, Long Island. The association, its board of governors, bylaws, court tennis laws, code of conduct, policies, and an introduction to the game are provided on the website, including how to play, a description of a court, and available publications.
https://uscourttennis.org/
