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Real tennis is the original racket sport from which the modern game of lawn tennis, is descended. Real tennis was originally played in courtyards between buildings using the walls as part of the game. Hence Lawn tennis is still played on a court.
Popularity
Today there are only around forty five Real tennis courts remaining, with several thousand active players. There has however been something of a revival towards the end of the 20th century, with several new courts being built.
Location
A Real tennis court is larger than a lawn tennis court. It is enclosed by walls on all sides, three of which have sloping roofs (known as penthouses) with various openings, and a buttress off which shots may be played.
Age
There are around twenty clubs situated throughout the British Isles, found mainly in schools, collages and universities.
Description
The rules and scoring are similar to those of lawn tennis, which derives from court tennis. Although in both sports game scoring is by fifteens, in real tennis 6 games wins a set, even if the opponent has 5 games. A match is typically best of 5 sets. The service only happens from one end of the court (the service end) and the ball has to travel along the penthouse to the left of the server to the other end, called the hazard end before dropping into play.
Dedication
Named Real Tennis in the 19th century to distinguish it from the then new variation, known as lawn tennis. The court is doubly asymmetric—not only is one end of the court different in shape from the other, but the left and right sides of the court are also different. Another twist to the game is the various windows below the penthouse roof that, in some cases, offer the player a chance to win the point instantly by hitting the ball into the opening, making the ball non returnable.
Potential
Real Tennis was also known as Jeu De Paume, and played under this name, as an official sport at the 1908 Olympic games.
Closely
Related Activities
Real tennis evolved from, and still retains similarities with, the gloved games of palla, fives 259, pelota 460, and handball 294. It is also closely related to racket games such as tennis 603, and rackets 484.
Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.
Energy |
Arms
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Legs
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Sight
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Hearing
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Speech |
Learning |
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