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Real Tennis court at Grange Road

Anyone for Real Tennis?!

Likened to a cross between squash and cricket, the sport requires a measure of speed and agility with a lot of importance on timing. Having been lucky enough to have a coaching session myself I experienced the enjoyment of just picking up the basics.

However, Simon Mcloughlin made it clear that it takes a long time to master the complex game, "but that remains part of its appeal, as one day you can be brilliant and the next awful!"

Real Tennis court at Grange Road

Just stepping onto the court has a breathtaking effect with a very distinct and impressive atmosphere created by the large space. The game started in the streets and so the court has been designed in the same format. It's an asymmetrical court which contains many unusual features, sloping roofs, openings (galleries) in the walls and a main wall which has a kink in it (tambour).

The game is played with rackets made of wood and hand-made balls, re-covered every week with new cloth. A gutter below the net makes the collection of balls into a wicker basket all the more easy before the receiver, according to etiquette, collects and returns the balls to the server.

When changing ends it is also customary to wait for the other player(s) to cross the net first. It is also usual to place a couple of balls on your opponent's racket.

With 40 courts worldwide, and 25 in Britain, the two courts in Grange Road in Cambridge offer a rare opportunity to experience the precursor to lawn tennis.

Membership of the Cambridge University Real Tennis Club is open to all, not just to members of the university and the courts are among the best in the country.

The two courts at Cambridge were built in 1863 and 1890 but recently the game has undergone an enormous revival with new courts being built around the country every year.

Both national and local tournaments are held at the Grange Road club which currently boasts the world's number one, along with two teams in the premier national league.

Three hour introductory courses are used to get novices involved along with the opportunity to join members for a game or watch one of the eight league matches a year. Club dinners are also held on the courts to boost the social aspect of the game.