The Origins of Real Tennis: From Medieval Courts to Royal Patronage
Early Precursors in France and Italy
- Real tennis traces its origins to a medieval French game called "jeu de paume" (game of the palm), played as early as the 12th century.
- Initially, players struck a ball with their hands before evolving to use gloves and later racquets.
- The game spread to Italy and England, where it became popular among nobility.
The Name “Real Tennis”
- The term "real tennis" emerged to distinguish the original indoor court game from the newer outdoor versions.
- Known also as "court tennis" in the United States and "royal tennis" in Australia, the name reflects its association with royalty and aristocracy. shutdown123