Real Tennis | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Real Tennis

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Submitted by Unknown user (not verified) on Mon, 2010-11-29 19:09

Does anyone know if there has ever been a real tennis court set up in Hong Kong ?

'Real tennis', I mean, as opposed to lawn tennis - you know, the sort that King Henry VIII played at Hampton Court, and still has quite a following today - a growing following in fact.

I know that there isn't a court at the moment, but wonder if anyone in the dim and distant past (probably pre-1997) managed to get a venue converted for a match, however temporarily.

Any info gratefully received ! Thanks

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Submitted by annelisec on Tue, 2010-11-30 12:01.

Wikipedia - "Real tennis" – one of several games sometimes called "the sport of kings" – is the original indoor racquet sport from which the modern game of lawn tennis (usually simply called tennis), is descended."
The Ladies Recreation Club had four outdoor courts built in 1883.  Two lawn, two chunam (concrete).  Private homes, when the tennis fad spread to Hong Kong, had their courts outdoors.
You'll have to tell us how strict your definition of "Real Tennis" is per :

1. The material the surface of the court is made of.
2. The raquet
3. The balls
4. The rules
5. Indoor or outdoor
6. Shoes
7. Clothing

Also, try the nice people over at www.tennishk.org

Submitted by David on Tue, 2010-11-30 21:20.

This 1880 map shows there was a 'Racket Court' on the Army's land. (It's just above the blue "Murray Barracks" text.)

Admiralty, 1880

I wondered if that was related, but Wikipedia shows rackets is a different sport, a close ancestor to today's game of squash.

It's an unusual question, why the interest?

Regards, David

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 2010-12-01 08:33.

Many thanks for all the info.  Why the interest ? Because I like to play.  If there's been a venue converted for play in the past, then that sets a precedent for looking into whether a similar conversion could be attempted again.

Thanks

Submitted by David on Wed, 2010-12-01 10:35.

Sounds like a good project. Please let us know if you do track down any previous games in Hong Kong (have you tried searching the old newspapers?), or if you manage to play the first one!

Regards, David