TENNIS AT PRESTED

We’re passionate about racket sports here at Prested, demonstrated by the fact that we’re one of only a handful of venues in the country to have both Real Tennis (sometimes known as Royal Tennis), Padel Tennis, and lawn tennis courts.

Real tennis  is a fascinating indoor racket sport – the original Tudor game, from which lawn tennis has evolved. There have been no real tennis courts in Essex since the reign of Henry VIII who played at a court in Chelmsford, so we have put this right by building two courts at Prested – two of only 27 courts in the UK.

Some liken the game to a combination of squash, chess and snooker on court. It is a game of tactics which can be played either with speed or guile, making it an ideal game for all ages. Some people start at an early age, others in their middle years, and plenty don’t try it until they have retired.

Padel tennis is always played as doubles on an enclosed court 10 metres wide by 20 metres long. Scoring is the same as lawn tennis and the balls used are similar but with a little less pressure.  The main differences are that the court has walls and the balls can be played off them in a similar way as in the game of squash, and that solid, plastic, stringless racquets are used.

The game was invented in Acapulco, Mexico, by Enrique Corcuera in 1969. It is currently most popular in Hispanic American countries such as Argentina and Mexico as well as in Spain, although it is now beginning to spread rapidly across Europe and other continents.

Keep up to date with the latest news by following our Facebook page Prested Tennis Club 

Lawn tennis is played on our two outdoor tennis courts here at Prested.

For more details please click here to go through to our dedicated website for all things tennis!