Tennis - Revision history

Cian: /* Bibliography */

2011-02-21T23:46:15Z

Bibliography

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:46, 22 February 2011
Line 94:		Line 94:
	*Dickey, Norma (editor in chief) (1988) ''Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia'', Funk & Wagnalls LP.		*Dickey, Norma (editor in chief) (1988) ''Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia'', Funk & Wagnalls LP.
	*Endrei, Walter, & László Zolnay (translated) Károly Ravasz (1986) ''Fun and Games in Old Europe'' Budapest: Zrínyi Printing House.		*Endrei, Walter, & László Zolnay (translated) Károly Ravasz (1986) ''Fun and Games in Old Europe'' Budapest: Zrínyi Printing House.
	*Hobart Tennis Club ~~Hobart Tennis Club~~		*Hobart Tennis Club
	*Moss, Peter (1962) ''Sports and Pastimes Through the Ages'', George G Harrup, London.		*Moss, Peter (1962) ''Sports and Pastimes Through the Ages'', George G Harrup, London.

Cian: add category

2011-02-21T01:59:52Z

add category

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:59, 21 February 2011
Line 102:		Line 102:

	''This article was originally based on work by Hrolf Herjolffsen''		''This article was originally based on work by Hrolf Herjolffsen''
			[[category:Sports]]

Cian at 01:59, 21 February 2011

2011-02-21T01:59:08Z

Cian at 00:52, 21 February 2011

2011-02-21T00:52:05Z

New page

:“When we have match’d our rackets to these balls,
:We will, in [[France]], by [[God]]’s grace, play a set
:Shall strike his father’s [[crown]] into the hazard.
:Tell him he hath made a match with such a wrangler
:That all the [[court]]s of France will be disturb’d
:With chases.” ''Henry V, Act I, Scene II''

These are the words [[Shakespeare]] places in the mouth of [[Henry V]] in reply to a
mocking gift of '''tennis''' balls by the [[France|French]] [[Prince]]. Whilst it is believed
that he did play the game, I have not been able to find any proof either
way. It is certainly a game that was developed contemporaneously with his
[[reign]] for tennis, to an anachronist, should not mean the game played at
Wimbledon or in the Davis Cup. What they play there is not tennis (although
it is derived from it). The sloppiness of our modern times leads us to not
use the full name of the modern game, which is either lawn tennis or
hard-court tennis. '''Real tennis''' is played in a room, which looks like a
cross between a [[cloister]] and a blackwashed barn. Shakespeare almost
certainly included the above reference, as it would be one readily
understood by his audiences.

Tennis is a game that can trace its descent to the handball games of the
[[Ancient Greece|Greek]]s and [[Roman]]s and is alleged to have matured in the [[monastery|monasteries]].
Although we have a brief description of the rules in a Latin grammar of
1535, the first full set of rules that we have available comes from only
1599 and is still the basic form that is used today. It was first seen in
roughly its current form in the streets and chateaux of France as early as
the thirteenth century and shows its origins as a street game with the
projecting roofs and odd angles of a court, which emulate the irregular
projections of a streetscape. In France it was originally known as ‘Jeu de
Paume’, changing its name to ‘Le Jeu de Courte Palme’ when enclosed courts
were built to play the game in. This had occurred by 1356, although often
the hand (covered with a thick leather glove) was still used to hit the
ball. Roughly at the same time (around 1370), Chaucer wrote in a line
Troilus and Cressida: “canstow playen racket to and fro”. This indicates
that the ball was being hit by a racket, rather than by hand, by this time.
This does not imply an English origin for this innovation as the word
‘racket’ clearly derives from the French word ‘raquette’. This is defined
by an old French dictionary as ‘a tool used for the palm game’. It derives
from the Italian word ‘racchetta’ or ‘retichetta’, itself derived from
‘rete’, which means ‘net’. This shows a possible Italian influence in the
adoption of the racket.

Of the many ball games to see their origins in the middle ages, it was
regarded as the only one suitable for a gentleman to play. Indeed, it was
perhaps the most popular game at the courts of Henry VII and VIII. The
latter built the famous court at Hampden Palace, re-modelled as it is today
by Charles I in 1625. It was a game that was widespread across Europe, with
most major towns in France having a court and at least one of the Kings of
Hungary (King Matthias Corvinus) being a dedicated player.

The ball was originally made of white leather stuffed with dog hair.
Although each court often uses differently made balls, including cork
covered in felt and cloth, this has generally changed to a ball made of
strips of felt wound around, hammered into shape, tied with string and
covered with ‘Melton’ cloth (a woollen fabric). These latter balls have a
core that can last (with re-tying and covering) up to seventy years. They
are quite hard and bounce like a ‘dead’ squash ball. Players wore the dress
of the day, with an emphasis on, for males, tights and short tunics. On
their feet they wore felt slippers.

Each court varies in size, although they are generally around 30 metres long
by 10 metres wide (90 by 30 feet). The ratio of 3:1 is always maintained.
A net droops loosely across the centre and the floor has a number of lines
on it with numbers painted on the wall. The way the ball lands near these
lines dictates play and scoring. Each court has a net-fronted gallery for
spectators with a sloping roof running along the side and another at one
end. The other (or hazard) end has a closed section with a sloping roof,
some odd angled sections (the tambour) and a small ‘target’ area (the
hazard). This often has a painting of a monk’s head on it. The court is
generally 9 to 15 metres high, as hitting the roof is a fault. Lighting was
provided to the court by high windows and chandeliers (both reasons for
discouraging shots that are too high)
Incidentally, the shape of the court had a large impact upon the development
of theatre in France, as it was one of the few large enclosed spaces in most
towns. This meant that theatres moved away from the semi-circular layout of
the Mediterranean towards a rectangular shape. This shape was imported to
England after the Restoration.

The winner of a match is the player (or players in a doubles game) who wins
two out of three or three out of five sets. Each set is played as the first
to eight games. Scoring runs the same as its cheaper derivative of lawn
tennis, although the achievement of each point is more complex (and I am not
going to try and explain it here). Like volleyball, which has a derivation
from the same roots, points can be scored only by the serving player(s).
Servers must hit the roof of the gallery (called the penthouse) before the
ball lands on the floor. The game is fast and a far more tactical than lawn
tennis with a greater requirement to think about shots.
Tennis is played today in several countries and is undergoing a bit of a
revival with new courts being built and old ones (such as in St Petersburg)
being reconditioned. I would encourage everyone to try and see (and
preferably play) this marvellous period game.

===Bibliography===
*Dickey, Norma (editor in chief) (1988) Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, Funk & Wagnalls LP.
*Endrei, Walter, & László Zolnay (translated) Károly Ravasz (1986) Fun and Games in Old Europe Budapest: Zrínyi Printing House.
*Hobart Tennis Club Hobart Tennis Club
*Moss, Peter (1962) Sports and Pastimes Through the Ages, George G Harrup, London.
*www.real-tennis.com
*www.realtennis.gbrit.com

''This article was originally based on work by Hrolf Herjolffsen''

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:59, 21 February 2011
Line 8:		Line 8:
	These are the words [[Shakespeare]] places in the mouth of [[Henry V]] in reply to a		These are the words [[Shakespeare]] places in the mouth of [[Henry V]] in reply to a
	mocking gift of '''tennis''' balls by the [[France\|French]] [[Prince]]. Whilst it is believed		mocking gift of '''tennis''' balls by the [[France\|French]] [[Prince]]. Whilst it is believed
	that he did play the game, I have not been able to find any proof either		that he did play the [[game]], I have not been able to find any proof either
	way. It is certainly a game that was developed contemporaneously with his		way. It is certainly a game that was developed contemporaneously with his
	[[reign]] for tennis, to an anachronist, should not mean the game played at		[[reign]] for tennis, to an anachronist, should not mean the game played at
Line 21:		Line 21:
	Tennis is a game that can trace its descent to the handball games of the		Tennis is a game that can trace its descent to the handball games of the
	[[Ancient Greece\|Greek]]s and [[Roman]]s and is alleged to have matured in the [[monastery\|monasteries]].		[[Ancient Greece\|Greek]]s and [[Roman]]s and is alleged to have matured in the [[monastery\|monasteries]].
	Although we have a brief description of the rules in a Latin grammar of		Although we have a brief description of the rules in a [[Latin]] grammar of
	1535, the first full set of rules that we have available comes from only		1535, the first full set of rules that we have available comes from only
	1599 and is still the basic form that is used today. It was first seen in		1599 and is still the basic form that is used today. It was first seen in
	roughly its current form in the streets and chateaux of France as early as		roughly its current form in the streets and chateaux of France as early as
	the thirteenth century and shows its origins as a street game with the		the [[thirteenth century]] and shows its origins as a street game with the
	projecting roofs and odd angles of a court, which emulate the irregular		projecting roofs and odd angles of a court, which emulate the irregular
	projections of a streetscape. In France it was originally known as ‘Jeu de		projections of a streetscape. In France it was originally known as ‘Jeu de
	Paume’, changing its name to ‘Le Jeu de Courte Palme’ when enclosed courts		Paume’, changing its name to ‘Le Jeu de Courte Palme’ when enclosed courts
	were built to play the game in. This had occurred by 1356, although often		were built to play the game in. This had occurred by 1356, although often
	the hand (covered with a thick leather glove) was still used to hit the		the hand (covered with a thick [[leather]] [[glove)]] was still used to hit the
	ball. Roughly at the same time (around 1370), Chaucer wrote in a line		ball. Roughly at the same time (around 1370), [[Chaucer]] wrote in a line
	Troilus and Cressida: “canstow playen racket to and fro”. This indicates		Troilus and Cressida: “canstow playen racket to and fro”. This indicates
	that the ball was being hit by a racket, rather than by hand, by this time.		that the ball was being hit by a racket, rather than by hand, by this time.
	This does not imply an English origin for this innovation as the word		This does not imply an [[English]] origin for this innovation as the word
	‘racket’ clearly derives from the French word ‘raquette’. This is defined		‘racket’ clearly derives from the [[French]] word ‘raquette’. This is defined
	by an old French dictionary as ‘a tool used for the palm game’. It derives		by an old French dictionary as ‘a tool used for the palm game’. It derives
	from the Italian word ‘racchetta’ or ‘retichetta’, itself derived from		from the [[Italian]] word ‘racchetta’ or ‘retichetta’, itself derived from
	‘rete’, which means ‘net’. This shows a possible Italian influence in the		‘rete’, which means ‘net’. This shows a possible Italian influence in the
	adoption of the racket.		adoption of the racket.

	Of the many ball games to see their origins in the middle ages, it was		Of the many ball games to see their origins in the [[middle ages]], it was
	regarded as the only one suitable for a gentleman to play. Indeed, it was		regarded as the only one suitable for a [[gentleman]] to play. Indeed, it was
	perhaps the most popular game at the courts of Henry VII and VIII. The		perhaps the most popular game at the courts of [[Henry VII]] and [[Henry VIII\|VIII]]. The
	latter built the famous court at Hampden Palace, re-modelled as it is today		latter built the famous court at [[Hampden Palace]], re-modelled as it is today
	by Charles I in 1625. It was a game that was widespread across Europe, with		by [[Charles I]] in 1625. It was a game that was widespread across [[Europe]], with
	most major towns in France having a court and at least one of the ~~Kings~~ of		most major towns in France having a court and at least one of the [[King]]s of
	Hungary (King Matthias Corvinus) being a dedicated player.		[[Hungary]] (King [[Matthias Corvinus]]) being a dedicated player.

	The ball was originally made of white leather stuffed with dog hair.		The ball was originally made of [[white]] leather stuffed with [[dog]] hair.
	Although each court often uses differently made balls, including cork		Although each court often uses differently made balls, including [[cork]]
	covered in felt and cloth, this has generally changed to a ball made of		covered in [[felt]] and [[cloth]], this has generally changed to a ball made of
	strips of felt wound around, ~~hammered~~ into shape, tied with string and		strips of felt wound around, [[hammer]]ed into shape, tied with string and
	covered with ‘Melton’ cloth (a ~~woollen~~ fabric). These latter balls have a		covered with ‘Melton’ cloth (a [[wool]]len fabric). These latter balls have a
	core that can last (with re-tying and covering) up to seventy years. They		core that can last (with re-tying and covering) up to seventy years. They
	are quite hard and bounce like a ‘dead’ squash ball. Players wore the dress		are quite hard and bounce like a ‘dead’ squash ball. Players wore the dress
	of the day, with an emphasis on, for males, tights and short ~~tunics~~. On		of the day, with an emphasis on, for males, [[tights]] and short [[tunic]]s. On
	their feet they wore felt ~~slippers~~.		their feet they wore felt [[slipper]]s.

	Each court varies in size, although they are generally around 30 metres long		Each court varies in size, although they are generally around 30 metres long
Line 68:		Line 68:
	some odd angled sections (the tambour) and a small ‘target’ area (the		some odd angled sections (the tambour) and a small ‘target’ area (the
	hazard). This often has a painting of a monk’s head on it. The court is		hazard). This often has a painting of a monk’s head on it. The court is
	generally 9 to 15 metres high, as hitting the roof is a fault. Lighting was		generally 9 to 15 metres high, as hitting the roof is a fault. [[Lighting]] was
	provided to the court by high windows and ~~chandeliers~~ (both reasons for		provided to the court by high windows and [[chandelier]]s (both reasons for
	discouraging shots that are too high)		discouraging shots that are too high)
	Incidentally, the shape of the court had a large impact upon the development		Incidentally, the shape of the court had a large impact upon the development
	of theatre in France, as it was one of the few large enclosed spaces in most		of [[theatre]] in France, as it was one of the few large enclosed spaces in most
	towns. This meant that theatres moved away from the semi-circular layout of		towns. This meant that theatres moved away from the semi-circular layout of
	the Mediterranean towards a rectangular shape. This shape was imported to		the Mediterranean towards a rectangular shape. This shape was imported to
	England after the Restoration.		England after the [[Restoration]].

	The winner of a match is the player (or players in a doubles game) who wins		The winner of a match is the player (or players in a doubles game) who wins
Line 89:		Line 89:
	revival with new courts being built and old ones (such as in St Petersburg)		revival with new courts being built and old ones (such as in St Petersburg)
	being reconditioned. I would encourage everyone to try and see (and		being reconditioned. I would encourage everyone to try and see (and
	preferably play) this ~~marvellous~~ period game.		preferably play) this marvelous [[period]] game.

	===Bibliography===		===Bibliography===
	*Dickey, Norma (editor in chief) (1988) Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, Funk & Wagnalls LP.		*Dickey, Norma (editor in chief) (1988) ''Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia'', Funk & Wagnalls LP.
	*Endrei, Walter, & László Zolnay (translated) Károly Ravasz (1986) Fun and Games in Old Europe Budapest: Zrínyi Printing House.		*Endrei, Walter, & László Zolnay (translated) Károly Ravasz (1986) ''Fun and Games in Old Europe'' Budapest: Zrínyi Printing House.
	*Hobart Tennis Club Hobart Tennis Club		*Hobart Tennis Club Hobart Tennis Club
	*Moss, Peter (1962) Sports and Pastimes Through the Ages, George G Harrup, London.		*Moss, Peter (1962) ''Sports and Pastimes Through the Ages'', George G Harrup, London.

	*www.real-tennis.com
			== External Sites ==
⚫	*www.realtennis.gbrit.com
			* [http://www.real-tennis.com www.real-tennis.com]
		⚫	* [http://www.realtennis.gbrit.com www.realtennis.gbrit.com]

	''This article was originally based on work by Hrolf Herjolffsen''		''This article was originally based on work by Hrolf Herjolffsen''