THE ROYAL TENNIS COURT

A reminder to travel agents and tour operators that the 'Antor Meets the Travel Trade' events and roadshows are just a week away now!! We kick off in London next Monday, travelling to Cork, Chester and Cambridge on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. If you want to attend please book your ticket as soon as possible. These are free in-person events taking place from 6pm until 10pm. Dinners, drinks and films showcasing the destinations will be shown, plus there is the chance to win lots of prizes! Tourism boards joining us for these events are Catalonia, China, Germany, Gibraltar, Korea, Isle of Man, Miami, Samoa, Taiwan - and more to be confirmed! Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to learn, grow, and make valuable connections. We look forward to seeing you there! London (20 May) - Book here: https://buff.ly/4a1Gla3 Cork (21 May) - Book here: https://buff.ly/4a1GkTx Chester (22 May) - Book here: https://buff.ly/3UCcjVS Cambridge (23 May) - Book here: https://buff.ly/4a1GkD1 #Antorontheroad #Antormeetsthetrade #Antor #AMTT #London #Cork #Chester #Cambridge #Travelagents #Touroperators #Travel

The Royal Tennis Court announces dates for New-Look Champions Trophy 2024 at Hampton Court Palace. The Champions Trophy, an annual tournament presented by Mitsubishi Electric, will bring together the world’s top Real Tennis players at the Royal Tennis Court, the 500- year-old home of Real Tennis from 28 July to 04 August. Spectators can watch the world’s top-ranking players for as little as £10 per match, along with the chance to meet the competitors and learn more about the game of Real Tennis. This year’s new-look format includes qualifying rounds for 8 participants as well as the main draw, a new Amateur Handicap Doubles where CT24 players are allocated a pair to coach and support, and a Golf Day at Hampton Court Palace Golf Club. If you have not yet seen the game for yourself but have always been intrigued this is an event not to miss. The Real Tennis Champions Trophy is an annual event that is unique to the Royal Tennis Club. It was devised by head pro Nick Wood a former European Opens, and Australian, US and British Opens Doubles Winner to allow the game’s world champions to play competitively at the home of the game. “The trophy was conceived to allow the world's top players to compete at the home of Real Tennis and provide a location for the general public as well as club members to watch and enjoy the sport” commented Wood, “I am delighted to see the Trophy grow and expand into a Real Tennis festival.” Now in its 6th year, the tournament has been supported by Mitsubishi Electric since its second iteration. “Mitsubishi Electric was introduced to Real Tennis by Historic Royal Palaces, the charity which runs Hampton Court Palace, and of which we are a longstanding supporter. We immediately saw a natural fit with the values of the game and have been a proud supporter ever since” enthused Hans-Joerg Hinkel, Senior Corporate Communications Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Europe. “Supporting the original game of tennis highlights our dedication to preserving history and traditions as well as healthy well-being”. This year the trophy is taking place from 28 July to 04 August, starting with the qualifying competition on the 28th followed by the Trophy Days on 29-30 May, the doubles tournament takes place on 1-2 August, semi-finals on the 3rd and culminates on Sunday 4th August with the finals and prize-giving. Last year’s winner John Lumley will be taking part in 2024 to defend his title. Speaking after his win in 2023, world number 2 John Lumley said of the tournament “I had an amazing time at the Champions Trophy and really enjoyed being at the Palace to play world-class Real Tennis” He continued “Winning was very special to me, in front of a great crowd, and with my family cheering me on” For an up-close viewing experience and insights into the game, tickets are on sale from 15 May: .

One of RTC's most active members reached 90 recently (age not handicap!). Gitte Dunkley started Real Tennis 44 years ago. Chris and Lachie Deuchar were giving an exhibition match. Pat, her husband, looked at her and said “ I bet you couldn’t do that!” So it was his fault he became a Tennis widower! She inaugurated the 4 witches and dressing-up ladies doubles. Gitte is an inspiration to all players, as she continues to play. Happy Birthday Gitte!

82-year-old RTC real tennis player is rescued in a race against time at Hampton Court Palace as London Ambulance Service NHS Trust congratulates RTC pros! The RTC wishes David a speedy recovery #londonambulanceservices

Bashir Mohammed & Max Morland won the RTC Handicap Doubles tournament defeating Will Emmines and Jack Short last weekend! 32 pairs competed in the doubles group stage event providing lots of tennis for everyone. Over the weekend there were 37 matches with all the players competing with all kinds of handicap differences but ultimately overcoming nerves and playing consistently. Well done to Bashir and Max - worthy winners of this year's event. #doublestennis

The World Masters event is fast approaching, 4 - 8 May, with RTC hosting the Cockram Trophy - for the Over 50s, whilst other London-based clubs host the Over 60’s, 70’s and Hatfield the over 80's. The Cockram Trophy consists of teams of the best Over 50 players in the world representing Great Britain, France, Australia & USA. All countries compete against each other in a 5-match fixture - 3 singles & 2 doubles. Matches take place from Sunday lunchtime to Wednesday morning - see schedule below. RTC are proud to be entertaining players from around the world in this prestigious event and looking forward to seeing some fantastic tennis. Your support and encouragement would be much appreciated by the competitors and the club - whether supporting Great Britain or your home country. Let's make the Cockram Trophy at RTC an event to remember! Catering will be on offer during the matches - a selection from a brunch menu during the day, and a supper menu during the early evening. The schedule is as follows: Saturday 4 May: 09:00-18:30 - Team practice Followed by the event welcome party. 18:30 Sunday 5 May: 09:00-12:00 - Team practice 12:00 USA v AUSTRALIA Monday 6 May: 08:00 AUSTRALIA v FRANCE 15:00 GREAT BRITAIN v FRANCE Tuesday 7 May: 08:00 USA v FRANCE 15:00 GREAT BRITAIN v AUSTRALIA Wednesday 8 May: 08:00 GREAT BRITAIN v FRANCE We look forward to seeing you sometime throughout the event. If you are NOT a member of the RTC please contact the PROs office to sign-up, advance registration is required buff.ly/42Iu9ZF #worldmasters

RTC Chair wins the Category G Championships at the Oratory! Cat G is for those with a 60-69 handicap. It was an exhausting weekend of matches with Doug playing 7 full sets on the Sunday! Playing as a “Lefty” he not only played a a previous round on the finals day but had a three-set match in the semi-final. His opponent in the final was Chris Blake who was 6/3 5/1 up but Doug clawed back magnificently to win the match 3/6 6/5 6/4. What fitness and stamina!

Beginning of a new series! Fights started on the tennis court! In 1565 Elizabeth 1st was watching the Duke of Norfolk play her favourite Robert the Earl of Leicester. This may have been at Hampton Court! As a spectator recounted “L Rob, being verie hotte and swetinge took the Q. napkin owte of her hande and wyped his face.” The Duke was furious and swore he would lay his racket on his opponent's face! The Queen stopped the fight! This was all re-enacted in “Elizabeth the Virgin Queen” filmed in 2005 with Anne-Marie Duff, Thomas Hardy and Kevin McKidd (Norfolk). So much history, make your own at the Royal Tennis Court! #filmlocation #HamptonCourtPalace

The RTC Under 25 Tournament Weekend took place from 12 to 14 April 2024 at Hampton Court Palace. What a fabulous weekend of tennis at the Royal Tennis Court (RTC) with 14 players in the tournament, the majority of whom entered at least two events, resulting in an incredibly successful and sociable weekend. There was also a great mix of players, some of whom had not entered the tournament before so it was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to meet and play some competitive tennis. The weekend started with the Wollaston Cup Handicap Singles. Particular mention goes to the match between Jack Short and Henry Pearson-Miles who had an epic match going down to the wire with Jack Short just beating Henry 6/5. In the final Group, there were some tremendous matches too but again the best match was the match between Max Morland and Kelan Humphries which again went to 5-5 with Max just winning 6/5. Max therefore went through as the winner of that group with Kelan as the runner-up. The two semi-finals were spectacularly close, showing the handicaps are working. Kelan beat Will 6/4 and Max beat Henry Pearson-Miles, also 6/4 to set up a final between Kelan and Max. A wonderful final with lots of great restes (rallies), with Kelan taking the title for the first time, winning 6/3. Saturday late afternoon saw the final of the Vaughan Trophy Level Doubles with Robert Blizzard and Henry Dalton taking on Michael Galley (who had won the title the previous year with Robert) and Thomas Dolan. What an exciting final with both sides playing a very tactical game with incredible restes and could not have been closer with never more than a game between them. Unsurprisingly therefore it went to 7/7 with Michael and Thomas winning the final game to win the title 8/7. This was lovely for Michael to win the title for the 2nd year in a row and for Thomas to win the competition in his first year of entering. Sunday was devoted to the Chairman's Cup - the U25 Level Singles. Particular mention goes to the very close matches between Henry Dalton and Thomas Dolan (Henry finally winning 6/4) and the match between Jack Short and Henry Pearson-Miles (with Jack holding his nerve to win 6/5). James Derrick went through as the winner of his group with Henry Dalton coming through as the runner-up. In Group 2, Robert Blizzard proved far too strong for all his opponents, winning his matches 6/1, 6/0, 6/0 so went through as the winner of Group 2. The quarter-finals saw a fantastic match between Henry Dalton and Jack Short, both playing shots significantly better than their handicap, with Jack eventually winning 6/3. Robert Blizzard played James Derrick in the first semi-final with a great win 6/1. In the other semi-final, George Parsons proved too strong for Jack Short, winning 6/0. The final was George Parsons vs Robert Blizzard, George won 8/0, a tremendous match with Robert showing huge talent. #juniors

A year on from Manchester being the first city in the UK to launch a "tourist tax" it's been announced that about £2.8m has been raised. The money will be used to pay for measures aimed at attracting more visitors. Are tourist taxes a good idea? . #TouristTax #Manchester #RepPlus #RepresentationPlus