Hobart Real Tennis Club

Hobart Real Tennis Club
Formation1875; 149 years ago (1875)
Location
Coordinates42°53′7.5″S 147°19′40.2″E / 42.885417°S 147.327833°E / -42.885417; 147.327833
President
Andrew Brough (as of 2018)
Websitehobarttennis.com.au

The Hobart Real Tennis Club is a real tennis court in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Opening in 1875,[1] it is one of the oldest sporting clubs in the southern hemisphere, the oldest of only four real tennis clubs operating nationally,[2][3] and one of 45 worldwide.[4] Originally known simply as the Hobart Tennis Club, the court predates the advent of lawn tennis, remaining an exclusive haven for the elite to engage in what was then called "real tennis" or "royal tennis". Following a club referendum, the sporting facility was renamed the 'Hobart Real Tennis Club' in 2001.[5]

Hobart hosted the international biennial Bathurst Cup in 1985, 1999 and 2015,[6] and has also held the Australian Open tournament for real tennis on several occasions since the mid 1990s.[7] It was the first home court of twelve-time world champion player, Robert Fahey[8] and Judith Clarke, Australia's first female real tennis World Champion.[9]

  1. ^ "Royal Tennis". The Mercury. Vol. CXXXIV, no. 19, 813. Tasmania, Australia. 6 February 1931. p. 12. Retrieved 22 June 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference oct-2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference tas-life-2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Prince Edward to play real tennis during Ballarat visit". 28 March 2018.
  5. ^ Alexander, Ted (2005). "Companion to Tasmanian History: Real Tennis Club". University of Tasmania. Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference llh-2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference irtpa-results was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference abc-2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ "Clarke, Judith Anne (1954 – )". Australian Women’s Register. Retrieved 22 June 2024.