The Unique Court Design
- Real tennis courts are asymmetrical indoor courts with complex features like sloping roofs ("penthouses"), galleries, and openings called "hazards" or "grilles."
- The court's irregular shape influences play strategy, making the game highly tactical.
The Ball and Racquet
- The balls are handmade, heavier, and less bouncy than modern tennis balls.
- Racquets are smaller, heavier, and have asymmetrical heads to handle shots off the walls and angles.
Real Tennis Rules: Complexity and Strategy
Scoring and Gameplay
- The scoring system, inherited by modern lawn tennis, uses 15, 30, 40, and game.
- However, real tennis features unique rules, such as chases — a system that rewards players for ball placement and complex rallies.
Use of Walls and Openings
- Unlike lawn tennis, players can play the ball off walls and various court features, similar to squash or racquetball.
- Shots can be directed into openings to earn points or challenges.
Emphasis on Tactical Play
- Real tennis is a game of skill, cunning, and endurance rather than power.
- Players must master varied shots and court awareness. shutdown123