Radley College in Abingdon is realising its sporting aspirations in the construction of a new real tennis court, which is being built by Beard the Oxford and Swindon-based construction company.
Real tennis has been played by Radley College students for over 30 years and during this time the school has produced some outstanding players including two British Open Championship winners, James Male and Julian Snow.
Mark Beard, Managing Director of Beard is also a keen real tennis player and has won several singles championships. He is very passionate about the project and said:
“I have gained a great deal of satisfaction from the sport over the last two decades, and I am delighted that my company has been chosen to build the new court at Radley College. I hope that the court enables new players to gain as much enjoyment out of the sport as I do.”
The new court is due for completion in late Spring 2008 and will be the second court in Oxfordshire, the other being the University of Oxford Real Tennis Club, which is located next to Merton College. Tim Henman’s brother is one of the 250 members, and Tim himself is known to enjoy the game.
The origins of real tennis date back a thousand years, but the game as we know it today evolved in the Middle Ages. Labelled as the ‘Game of the Kings’ it became popular in the 17th and 18th centuries and has maintained a noble following in England ever since Henry VIII first eyed his opponent at Hampton Court in 1528. After suffering a decline following the English Civil War and a century later, the French Revolution, the 1990’s saw the beginning of a revival in the game and the new court will be the 3rd to be built in England in the last ten years, bringing the total number of courts in the UK to 29.
Unlike lawn tennis, where a serve continues down the line of the court, real tennis is far more complex. Mick Dean, a geography teacher at Radley College and a real tennis player calls the game ‘chess on legs’, as it is a combination of subtlety and tactics, which is reflected in the design of the court. Originally played against the walls of buildings and around monastery cloisters, the court is reminiscent of a courtyard or medieval street. It has many interesting features including, sloping roofs (penthouses), openings (galleries), and a buttress (tambour) off which shots can be played. In real tennis, players only serve from one end of the court. The (Dedan) behind the server is the largest opening and has to be defended from hard shots called ‘forces’ coming from the receiving (hazard) side of the court.
Each new court is designed to the same basic principles, but has nuances and dimensions that are unique to each club. The building’s architects, West Waddy ADP based in Abingdon, had to work closely with the College and the Tennis and Rackets Association to design a court that met Radley College’s specific requirements.
Steve Simkins, Partner at West Waddy ADP who also worked with Beard to construct a new sports hall at Abingdon Preparatory School said: “Real Tennis continues to be a fast growing sport but there are still very few architects who have the opportunity to design a new court. We are delighted to be working with Radley College and Beard to provide these facilities.”
Did you know?
William Shakespeare makes reference to Real Tennis in his Play ‘Henry V’. After the French Ambassador brings a case of tennis balls to mock the King, Henry V vows to attack France:
Exeter: Tennis-balls, my liege
Henry V: We are glad the Dauphin is so pleasant with us;
His present and your pains we thank you for:
When we have march’d our rackets to these balls,
We will, in France, by God’s grace, play a set
Shall strike his father’s crown into the hazard.
Tell him he hath made a match with such a wrangler
That all the courts of France will be disturb’d. With chaces.
Ends
Editors: for more information, please contact:
Sarah Parker, Marketing Manager
Beard
Cumnor Hill
Oxford
OX2 9PJ
Tel: 01865 860033
Email: sarah.parker@beardoxford.co.uk
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