In 2007, real tennis was added to the long list of activities available within the MCC Sporting Sections.
Real tennis boasts a rich heritage. It evolved in France and was popularised in England during the 19th Century when the wealthy built courts to play a game that was the forerunner to the tennis we know today.
Real tennis is played only in the United Kingdom, France, the US and Australia, and the late George Limb achieved the feat of playing on all of the 51 courts worldwide.
The section plays most of its games at the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club (RMTC) in Richmond but also competes at Ballarat, Romsey and Hobart.
It’s a game for both men and women and a unique handicapping system allows players of varying ability to be competitive.
Sometimes described as a mix of tennis and squash requiring the strategies of chess, real tennis is played on an indoor court with a net and players use old-style wooden rackets and solid, hand-made balls.
The game certainly has its devotees, 250 of whom travelled from all over the world in January for the Boomerang Cup tournament that is played at the RMTC every two years.
The fortnight of competition was followed by the 10-day Australian Men’s and Women’s Open Championships.
MCC Real Tennis secretary Iain Buchanan will be pleased to field inquiries from members on 0417 565 215.