|
Real Tennis
To many of its aficionados Royal Tennis is simply the best game in the world.
A subtle mixture of racquets, fives and tennis, it is played with what looks like an old fashioned tennis racquet and solid balls that look like tennis balls, in a court about the size of a tennis court, but surrounded by walls that on three sides are partly sloping; and across a sagging net! Tactically very subtle, and hard to understand, it is exhilarating and addictive to play, and it is one of the few ball games that you can go on playing almost till you die!
Started of course by Henry VIII, there are only 13 courts in the UK (all with professionals attached), four of which are in London,10 in the US, and two in France. If you once played this game, you will only need reminding of what a pleasure it is and you will rush to your nearest court and, for starters, ask the pro for a game. He will certainly then find you some opponents, set you up with a good racquet; and you will be away again. If you have never played the game, but have some ball game skills (whatever your age), try going to watch a match in the annual competitions of your most local club, then tell the pro that you would be interested to try the game. He will certainly lead you into it, and you might well soon find yourself part of a regular four.
For more information eg about courts, contact the Tennis and Racquets Association in London (www.tennisandrackets.com; tel 020 7386 3448).
PLEASE MAKE SUGGESTIONS FOR ADDITIONS TO THIS SECTION, AND RATE THE USEFULNESS OF THE SITES YOU USE - SEE ‘ADD A CONTRIBUTION’ BELOW
:
|
|
|
|
