National Tennis Club facts for kids
| Type | Court Tennis, Sport Club |
|---|---|
| Established | 1880 / re-established 1980 |
| President | Ross Cann |
| Vice-president | Tom Rowe |
| Location | , , |
| Website | http://nationaltennisclub.org/ |
The National Tennis Club (NTC) is a special club in Newport, Rhode Island, USA. It's all about a sport called court tennis (also known as "real tennis"). The club's home is a rebuilt building called the Court Tennis Building, located at the Newport Casino.
In 2004, the National Tennis Club hosted a big event: the Real Tennis World Championship. A player named Robert Fahey won and kept his title against Tim Chisholm. The Court Tennis Building was first built in 1880. Then, in 1980, it was reopened thanks to Clarence "Clarry" Pell. It became a symbol for the sport of real tennis in the United States.
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What is Real Tennis?
Court tennis, or "real tennis," is a very old indoor racquet sport. It's actually the original game that modern lawn tennis (the tennis you usually see today) came from! In the United States, it's called court tennis. In Australia, it's known as royal tennis, and in France, it's called courte-paume. People started calling it "real" tennis in the mid-1900s. This was to help tell it apart from the newer "lawn" tennis.
Today, there are 47 real tennis courts around the world. You can find them in the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, and France. Long ago, there were courts in Germany too. But the sport stopped being played there after World War II.
How to Play Real Tennis
The rules and scoring in real tennis are quite similar to lawn tennis. For example, points are scored by fifteens (like 15, 30, 40). However, in real tennis, a player wins a set by getting six games, even if the opponent has five games. Most matches are played to win two out of three sets. But in big tournaments, players might need to win three out of five sets.
Another big difference is the ball. Modern lawn tennis balls are bouncy and made of latex. Real tennis still uses a cork-based ball, much like the original ones. These balls don't bounce as much and are a bit heavier. A real tennis ball weighs about 2 and a half ounces, while a lawn tennis ball is about 2 ounces. Players also use long racquets, about 27 inches. These racquets are made of wood and have very tight strings to handle the heavier balls.
A real tennis court is special because it has walls on all four sides. Three of these walls have sloped roofs, which are called "penthouses."
The National Tennis Club's Story
The National Tennis Club (NTC) was created in 1980. This was when the original court tennis court was completely rebuilt. The old court had been damaged by fires in 1945 and 1946. Only the floor and some of the lower walls from 1880 remained.
A group of dedicated players and fans, called the National Court patrons, helped pay for the rebuilding. Clarence C. Pell, a former president, was a big part of this effort. They got funding through the United States Court Tennis Association (USCTA). The court quietly reopened on September 29, 1979. The official opening happened in August 1980, after a special tournament.
Since it was rebuilt in 1980, the National Tennis Court has been the official court of the USCTA. As the game has grown, new groups have formed. One example is the U.S. Court Tennis Preservation Foundation (USCTPF). These groups help lead and fund this amateur sport.
The Club used to be open only in the summer. But now, the court is used all year long! The club has about 100 active members. It's one of the busiest court tennis courts in the United States. It offers programs for all skill levels. These include club games, matches between cities, night leagues, and national and international tournaments. Club members even compete around the world.
The Club has been led by many governors over the years. These include Jonathan Isham, Barclay Douglas, Sr., Clarry Pell, Jim Wharton, Jonathon Pardee, and Jane Lippincott.
Joining the Club
The National Tennis Club offers different ways to become a member.
- Resident Active Membership
These members can use the court for games all year. They can also join all club events and tournaments if they qualify.
- Non-Resident Membership
This is for people and families who live more than 40 miles from the court. They can use the court for up to 50 hours each year. Some people who qualify for this might choose the "Active" membership instead. This way, they don't have a limit on court hours. These members can also join all club events and tournaments if they qualify.
- Social Membership
Social members get all club mail and invitations to fun social events.
- International Membership
This is for people who live in other countries but want to support the National Tennis Club. They can use the court for up to 5 hours each year for free.
- Junior Membership
This membership is for young people aged 25 or younger. It helps support weekly lessons and trips to tournaments at other clubs. The goal is to train and encourage the players of the future!
- Taste of Tennis
This program is for beginners who want to try the game. It includes 60 days of full court use. You can also borrow a racquet and get an introductory lesson from the club's professional coach.
See also
