How the Game is Played
Generally sets are played to six. If a set reaches five-all, one tie break game is played to decide the set.
Play starts with a player's serve. To serve, the ball must be hit onto the penthouse along the left of the court from the service end. It should hit the penthouse at least once beyond the halfway line and land unless volleyed, on the floor beyond the horizontal black line in a zoned area. The serve may hit the high side wall above the penthouse. Many different kinds of serve can be used from a large area of the service end. The aim is to impart as much spin or cut on the ball as possible and to a good length. In his book "A cut above the rest", Chris Ronaldson, former World Champion and Head Professional at Hampton Court, maintained that he used over fifty different serves.
The server at the service end of the court
The basic scoring system is the same as that used in Lawn Tennis:- love, fifteen, thirty, forty, deuce and advantage, but in real tennis the score of the player who last won a point is called first. Points can be won due to successful ace or "nick" serves, hitting winning openings or forcing an opponent to miss the ball or hit it into the net.
Generally sets are played to six. If a set reaches five-all, one tie break game is played to decide the set.
Play starts with a player's serve. To serve, the ball must be hit onto the penthouse along the left of the court from the service end. It should hit the penthouse at least once beyond the halfway line and land unless volleyed, on the floor beyond the horizontal black line in a zoned area. The serve may hit the high side wall above the penthouse. Many different kinds of serve can be used from a large area of the service end. The aim is to impart as much spin or cut on the ball as possible and to a good length. In his book "A cut above the rest", Chris Ronaldson, former World Champion and Head Professional at Hampton Court, maintained that he used over fifty different serves.
The server at the service end of the court
The basic scoring system is the same as that used in Lawn Tennis:- love, fifteen, thirty, forty, deuce and advantage, but in real tennis the score of the player who last won a point is called first. Points can be won due to successful ace or "nick" serves, hitting winning openings or forcing an opponent to miss the ball or hit it into the net.
Chases
Unlike lawn tennis, a rally or REST does not necessarily end if a player misses or fails to reach a ball, in which case a CHASE is made. It is the spot where the ball lands on its second bounce on the floor or if it enters one of the galleries. The chase lines are marked horizontally on the floor and denote measurements of yards and half yards from the back wall under the dedans at the service end. The Crowns on the side walls denote the gallery chases further up the court towards the net. There are similar chase lines at the hazard end.
The ball on the left has, on its second bounce, landed on chase 2 yards. The ball to the right has fallen on chase better than four yards.
If a chase is made, the point remains "on hold" until a player reaches forty or if there are two chases. The players change ends and play off the chase(s). To beat a 2 yards chase, the player from the hazard end has to play a shot that lands the ball on its second bounce in an area better than two yards from the back wall. Failure to do so means that the point is lost.
Explanations of the rules of real tennis, either written or verbal, invariably cause a glazed look of incomprehension! The "chase" element of the game does appear complex at first but it is quickly and best understood after one or two outings on court when the mysteries will be unraveled...
Unlike lawn tennis, a rally or REST does not necessarily end if a player misses or fails to reach a ball, in which case a CHASE is made. It is the spot where the ball lands on its second bounce on the floor or if it enters one of the galleries. The chase lines are marked horizontally on the floor and denote measurements of yards and half yards from the back wall under the dedans at the service end. The Crowns on the side walls denote the gallery chases further up the court towards the net. There are similar chase lines at the hazard end.
The ball on the left has, on its second bounce, landed on chase 2 yards. The ball to the right has fallen on chase better than four yards.
If a chase is made, the point remains "on hold" until a player reaches forty or if there are two chases. The players change ends and play off the chase(s). To beat a 2 yards chase, the player from the hazard end has to play a shot that lands the ball on its second bounce in an area better than two yards from the back wall. Failure to do so means that the point is lost.
Explanations of the rules of real tennis, either written or verbal, invariably cause a glazed look of incomprehension! The "chase" element of the game does appear complex at first but it is quickly and best understood after one or two outings on court when the mysteries will be unraveled...
Computerisation of Handicaps
As mentioned, John Trapp did the early work on computerisation. There is now a web based system called Real Tennis Online , maintained by Tim Graham in Australia. A sizeable proportion of this is paid for by the Tennis and Rackets Association in the UK.
Results in the past were entered by our professionals. Nowadays players can also do this themselves through the online booking system. The online booking system can also give the odds for a particular match, whether singles or doubles.
Singles handicap calculator
Doubles handicap calculator
If you want to see another player's handicap log on to real tennis online and when registered click "player".
For a full explanation of how the handicapping algorithm works click here.
(With thanks to John Trapp).
As mentioned, John Trapp did the early work on computerisation. There is now a web based system called Real Tennis Online , maintained by Tim Graham in Australia. A sizeable proportion of this is paid for by the Tennis and Rackets Association in the UK.
Results in the past were entered by our professionals. Nowadays players can also do this themselves through the online booking system. The online booking system can also give the odds for a particular match, whether singles or doubles.
Singles handicap calculator
Doubles handicap calculator
If you want to see another player's handicap log on to real tennis online and when registered click "player".
For a full explanation of how the handicapping algorithm works click here.
(With thanks to John Trapp).