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Real Tennis Renaissance: Sydney Club Revives the Sport of Kings as pickleball and padel Surge in Popularity
Amidst the rising craze for pickleball and padel, a Sydney sports club is bucking the trend by embracing real tennis, a sport with roots dating back to the Tudor period.With the opening of Australia’s fourth real tennis court, enthusiasts are celebrating the revival of this complex and strategic game.
“It’s a bit like three-dimensional chess, and it’s much more intellectual then an average sport because it’s so complicated,” maggie Henderson-Tew exclaimed, highlighting the strategic depth of real tennis compared to more contemporary racket sports. While pickleball and padel gain traction with their accessibility, real tennis attracts players with its ancient charm, intricate rules, and specialized equipment.
In a sports landscape dominated by the accessibility of pickleball and the rapid growth of padel, the Cheltenham Recreation Club in Sydney has made a bold move, opening Australia’s fourth court for real tennis, also known as royal tennis. This resurgence offers a glimpse into a sport that predates modern tennis and squash, steeped in history and complex gameplay.
| Sport | Key Features | U.S. popularity |
|---|---|---|
| Real Tennis | Complex rules, asymmetrical courts, handmade balls, wooden rackets | Limited, primarily in private clubs and historic venues |
| Pickleball | Simple rules, small court, easy to learn, social aspect | Explosive growth, widespread across all age groups, numerous public courts |
| Padel | Enclosed court, played with a paddle, similar to tennis scoring | Growing, notably in urban areas, attracting tennis enthusiasts |
Unlike the instant gratification offered by pickleball and padel, real tennis demands patience and strategic thinking.”People get absolutely fanatically into it, but it’s incredibly frustrating when you start out until you hit your first good shot, then it feels phenomenal,” says Henderson-Tew. This sentiment underscores the unique appeal of real tennis: the satisfaction derived from mastering a challenging and nuanced game.
Real tennis offers a diffrent appeal. Played on enclosed, asymmetrical courts, it demands a different skill set and strategic approach. The sport’s complexity is a draw for those seeking a mental and physical challenge, setting it apart from the more accessible nature of pickleball and padel. This contrast highlights a growing trend: while some gravitate towards sports offering immediate enjoyment, others seek deeper engagement and historical connection.
Decoding Real Tennis: A Game of Quirks and Tradition
Originally known as *jeu de paume*, meaning “palm game” in French, real tennis evolved to incorporate rackets.However, these aren’t your typical modern rackets. “A racket is essentially an arm on a stick, with a tiny sweet spot,” Henderson-Tew explains. The fact that only one company, Grays, manufactures these rackets, reportedly without profit, speaks volumes about the sport’s niche appeal and dedication to tradition.
The specialized equipment and court design contribute to the unique challenges of real tennis. Rackets,crafted from wood,feel more akin to cricket bats than modern tennis racquets. Asymmetry is a defining characteristic, from the angled racket heads to the distinctive court layout.
The court itself is a
