Real tennis, also known as court tennis or royal tennis, is one of the oldest racket sports in the world. The exact origin of the game is not known, but there are historical references that trace it back to the 12th century.
The game has evolved over the centuries and is still played today. It is an exclusive sport that is only played at a handful of courts around the world. So who invented real tennis? Let’s take a look.
History of Real Tennis
Real tennis has a rich and long history. It is believed to have originated in the 12th century in France, when a game called jeux de paume was played. This game was similar to modern-day tennis, with the exception that players used their hands instead of rackets.
By the 16th century, the game had evolved to include rackets and the rules were codified. The game was popular in the court of King Louis XIV, and the first permanent court was built in 1617 in Paris.
The game was also popular with the British Royal Family and was played in the court at Hampton Court Palace in the 16th century. The rules of the game were also codified in England in the 17th century.
The popularity of the game declined in the 19th century and it became a sport for the elite. However, it has experienced a resurgence in recent years and is still played in a handful of courts around the world.
Who Invented Real Tennis?
The exact origin of real tennis is unknown, but it is believed to have evolved from jeux de paume. There is no single person who is credited with inventing the game, as it was a gradual process over centuries.
It is believed that the game was first popularised by King Louis XIV of France. He had a court built in 1617 and was a keen player of the game.
The game also became popular with the British Royal Family, with the first court being built at Hampton Court Palace in 1530. The rules of the game were also codified in England in the 17th century.
Many people have contributed to the development of the game over the centuries, so it is impossible to name one person as the inventor of real tennis.
Rules of Real Tennis
Real tennis is played on an enclosed court that is divided into two halves. Each half is divided into two service boxes and two ‘hazard’ boxes. The court is surrounded by walls and a gallery.
Players use wooden rackets to hit a leather-covered ball that must bounce past the service line into the hazard boxes. Points are scored when the ball is hit into the hazard boxes and the opponent is unable to return it.
The game is played to a predetermined number of points, usually 15, 30 or 45. The winner is the player who scores the most points.
Real Tennis Today
Real tennis is still played today, although it is an exclusive sport that is only played in a handful of courts around the world. The most well-known court is the Royal Tennis Court at Hampton Court Palace in London.
The game is also popular among the British Royal Family, with Prince Charles being an avid player. He is also the patron of the Tennis and Rackets Association, the governing body for the sport.
The game is also popular in Australia and the United States, with courts in Sydney and New York City.
Players of Real Tennis
Real tennis is an exclusive sport and it is only played by a small number of people. Most of the players are members of exclusive clubs and they take the game very seriously.
The game is also popular with the British Royal Family, with Prince Charles being an avid player. There are also a handful of professional players who compete in tournaments around the world.
Real Tennis Tournaments
There are a handful of tournaments that are held around the world. The most prestigious tournament is the Court Tennis World Championship, which was first held in 1985.
The tournament is held in different countries each year and attracts the best players from around the world. It is one of the few tournaments that is open to professionals and amateurs alike.
The Equipment Used in Real Tennis
Real tennis is played with a wooden racket, a leather-covered ball and a net. The court is enclosed and the walls and gallery are used for play.
The ball is made from leather and is filled with a combination of cork and rubber. It weighs between 1.8 and 2 ounces and has a diameter of 2.5 inches.
The rackets are made from wood and are strung with natural gut strings. They are heavier than modern-day rackets and are designed to be used with the leather-covered ball.
Real Tennis in Popular Culture
Real tennis has featured in popular culture over the years, including books, films and television shows.
The film The Queen (2006) featured a scene in which Queen Elizabeth II plays real tennis at Hampton Court Palace. The television show The Crown (2016-present) also features a scene where Prince Charles plays real tennis at the same court.
The book The Tennis Court Oath (1992) by John Guare features a scene in which the protagonist plays a game of real tennis.
Conclusion
Real tennis is one of the oldest racket sports in the world and has a rich and long history. The exact origin of the game is unknown, but it is believed to have evolved from jeux de paume. The game was popularised by King Louis XIV of France and the British Royal Family.
Today, real tennis is played in a handful of exclusive courts around the world. It is popular with the British Royal Family, with Prince Charles being an avid player. There are also tournaments that are held around the world and the game has featured in popular culture over the years.
So, while we may never know who invented real tennis, we can say with certainty that it is one of the oldest and most exclusive sports in the world.