Royal Tennis Court, Hampton Court, Royal tennis court in Hampton Court Palace, England
The Royal Tennis Court at Hampton Court is a playing space with three walls from the 17th century and one wall from Cardinal Wolsey's original 1526 structure. The court preserves the traditional architecture and layout needed for real tennis, where the spatial arrangement is crucial to how the game is played.
The court evolved over several centuries, beginning with Cardinal Wolsey's original structure in 1526 and continuing through King Henry VIII, who played there from 1528 onward. The building shows layers of construction from different eras, with walls from various periods reflecting the long history of play at this location.
The court remains a place where players follow rules rooted in Tudor times, using terms like service ends and hazard zones that shape how the game unfolds. Visitors witness a sport that has barely changed and see how the game was played centuries ago.
The court is open most days, running from early morning to evening, with closure only on Christmas Day. Visitors can watch matches or learn about traditional real tennis, with membership options available if you want to return regularly.
During Tudor times, tennis balls were handmade and filled with animal or human hair, giving them different flight properties than modern balls. This old manufacturing method shaped how the game was played at this location and reminds us that sport here was a completely different physical experience.
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