What is Real Tennis? Exploring the Original Racket Sport

Ever heard of a sport where the ball can bounce off the walls, and the scoring system seems like a secret code? Welcome to the intriguing world of Real Tennis!

Now you might be wondering, what is Real Tennis? Well that’s what we are here to guide you through!

We’re breaking down the game, its rules and equipment, rich history and how it’s similar and different to the Tennis we know today!

Let’s dive into this centuries-old game that’s been captivating players and spectators alike since medieval times!

The Unique Court: A Playground of Possibilities

Real tennis courts are very different from modern tennis courts. They look more like a mix between a tennis court and a small castle. It’s a strange but exciting place to play.

The court is about 110 feet long and 39 feet wide. This is actually smaller than a regular tennis court. It feels like playing in a tiny space compared to what most tennis players are used to.

One of the most unusual things about the court is the penthouse roof. This is a sloped roof that runs along three walls of the court. You might think it’s odd to have a roof inside, but it’s really important for the game. When you serve, you aim for this roof instead of serving directly to your opponent. The ball bounces off the roof and into play.

Another unique part of the court is the dedans. This is a netted opening at one end of the court, kind of like a goal. If you hit the ball into it, you score a point.

The court also has a tambour, which is a slanted wall that sticks out on one side. When the ball hits this wall, it bounces off in surprising ways. There’s also the grille, another small opening you can score through, and galleries along the sides of the court.

All these special features make playing real tennis feel like you’re in a giant game. It’s not just about playing against your opponent. You’re also playing against the court itself. The walls, roofs, and openings all change how the ball moves, making every game unpredictable and fun.

At first, all these quirks can be confusing. Players might run into walls or trip over their feet trying to get used to the unusual layout. But that’s part of what makes real tennis so exciting.

It’s also complicated by design. The game was invented by french aristocracy, and they loved to have exclusive luxury games that they thought were too complex for the average poor peasant to understand.

Every game is different, and there’s always a chance for something amazing to happen. If these rules still dont make sense, trust me you’re not alone, check out a full in depth rule breakdown online to help yourself out.

Rules and Gameplay: Not a Usual Sport

Real tennis is quite different from modern tennis. It’s played on a unique court with special rules that might surprise you.

The serve in real tennis is unlike what you’re used to. Instead of aiming for a rectangle on the other side of the net, you serve onto a sloped roof called the “penthouse.” The ball needs to bounce off this roof and into the service court. It takes practice to get it right.

Scoring is similar to regular tennis (love, 15, 30, 40, game), but there’s a twist. If both players reach 40, it’s called “40 all.” From there, you need to win two points in a row to win the game.

Real tennis has a special rule called “chases.” If a ball bounces twice on your side, you don’t lose the point. Instead, you mark where it bounced and switch sides with your opponent. Then you try to hit a better shot than the chase to win the point.

The court is smaller than a regular tennis court and has walls and other features. One important feature is the “tambour,” a slanted wall that makes the ball bounce in unexpected ways. You can use it to make tricky shots or it can work against you.

To score points, you aim for targets on the court. These are called the “dedans,” “grille,” and “winning gallery.” Each is a different opening on the court. Hitting the ball into one of these scores a point.

The court has two sides: the “hazard” side and the “service” side. You serve from the service side, aiming for the penthouse roof. The hazard side is where most of the action happens.

Strategy in real tennis is complex. You’re not just playing against your opponent, but also using the court to your advantage. You can hit the ball off the walls and use the sloped roofs along the sides of the court.

Real tennis is a challenging and fun game. It mixes elements of modern tennis with squash and even a bit of chess. While it might seem complicated at first, it’s an exciting sport to learn and play.

Real Tennis Equipment: How is it Different?

Let’s talk about the gear you need to play real tennis. It’s quite different from regular tennis!

The racquet is the first thing you’ll notice. It’s made of wood and weighs about 370 grams. That’s pretty heavy! The shape is odd too. It has a small head and a long handle. The head isn’t even symmetrical – it looks a bit lopsided.

Getting used to this racquet takes time. It feels strange at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s fun to use.

The balls are special too. They’re not like the fuzzy yellow ones in modern tennis. Real tennis balls are made by hand. They’re solid cork wrapped in fabric. These balls are heavier and don’t bounce as high as regular tennis balls.

The balls are also harder, so be careful when catching them! They start out white but get darker as they’re used. This makes them easier to see on the court.

Because the balls are handmade, each one is a little different. This adds some excitement to the game.

Now, let’s talk about what to wear. Real tennis has its own dress code. Players wear collared shirts, usually white. They also wear long pants, not shorts. This might seem old-fashioned, but there’s a good reason for it.

The long pants protect your legs from the hard balls. Getting hit by one of these balls while wearing shorts can really hurt!

The all-white clothing is mostly because of tradition. It comes from the sport’s history with rich people.

Don’t forget to wear proper shoes for the court. The floors can be slippery, so good shoes are important for safety.

All this gear might seem strange at first. But each piece has a purpose. Once you get used to it, you’ll feel like a real pro player!

I remember my first time playing with all this equipment. I felt so clumsy at first, but by the end of the game, I was starting to get the hang of it. It was a fun challenge!

From Royal Courts to Wimbledon: The Evolution of Tennis

Tennis has come a long way since its early days. It all started in the 12th century with French monks playing a simple game in their courtyards. They hit a ball back and forth with their hands. This game would later become real tennis.

The game caught on with the nobles. They thought it looked fun and started playing it in their royal courts. Even King Henry VIII was a big fan. He had a special court built at Hampton Court Palace.

As more people played, the game changed. Players started using gloves, then paddles, and finally racquets. The game moved indoors to special courts with unique features like sloped roofs and odd-shaped walls.

In the 1870s, a new version of tennis was born: lawn tennis. It was simpler than real tennis and could be played outdoors on grass. You didn’t need a fancy court – just a flat area and a net.

Lawn tennis was easier to learn and play. It kept some skills from real tennis, like racquet control and strategy. But it was more accessible to everyone.

This new version of tennis spread quickly. It was cheaper and easier to understand. People could play it almost anywhere. Real tennis, with its complex rules, couldn’t keep up.

Lawn tennis became even more popular when Wimbledon held its first championship in 1877. Everyone wanted to be the next Wimbledon champion. Real tennis became a niche sport, while lawn tennis took center stage.

Lawn tennis is also easier to show on TV. The rules are simpler to explain during a broadcast. This helped it become the mainstream sport we know today.

Both real tennis and lawn tennis have their charms. Real tennis has a rich history and complexity. Lawn tennis is more accessible and widely enjoyed. They may have started as similar games, but they’ve grown into very different sports.

Next time you watch a tennis match, think about its interesting history. From monks playing in courtyards to stars competing at Wimbledon, tennis has had quite a journey.

So… What is Real Tennis?

Real Tennis isn’t just a sport – it’s a living piece of history! From its royal origins to its unique courts and challenging gameplay, this ancient racquet sport continues to captivate a dedicated group of enthusiasts. While it may never achieve the global popularity of its younger sibling, lawn tennis, Real Tennis offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of racquet sports. So, the next time you’re watching a Wimbledon match, remember the centuries-old game that started it all. Who knows? You might even be inspired to pick up a Real Tennis racquet and step onto a court that kings once played on. Game, set, and match – Real Tennis style!