Is tennis a Royal Hobby?

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Is tennis a Royal Hobby or not?




Tennis is mentioned in literature as far back as the Middle Ages. In the Second
Shepherds' Play (c 1500) shepherds gave three gifts, including a tennis ball, to
the newborn Christ. Sir Gawain, a knight of King Arthur's round table, plays 
tennis against a group of 17 giants in the Turke and Gowin (c 1500). 

The Medieval form of tennis is termed as real tennis, a game that evolved over
three centuries from an earlier ball game played around the 12th. century in 
France which involved hitting a ball with a bare and later with a glove.

By the 16th. century, the glove had become a racket, the game had moved to
an enclosed playing area, and the rules had been stabilized. Real tennis 
spread in popularity throughout royalty in Europe, reaching its peak in the 16th.
century. 


Austria


In 1899 Archduke Franz Ferdinand left his watch chain after a tennis party in 
Pressburg. In his watch chain there was a portrait of his later wife Sophie. 
Forgetting his watch caused lots of trouble. 

However the first Habsburg Tennis Court was built during the reign of 
Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria (1793-1875). 



Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria


Belgium

Queen Mathilde of Belgium is known as a wonderful tennis player. She also
visited Roland Garros while Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin were playing.
She also visited Wimbledon. The official biography at the site of the royal
palace, states that Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium plays tennis as well.
Just as her brother Prince Gabriel. 

Queen Elisabeth of Belgium (1876 - 1965) played tennis on board of a
boat when traveling to India in 1925.



Czech Republic


At Prague Castle, a so called Salle de Jeu de Paume was built in the 
gardens. This took place during the reign of Emperor Maximilian II. 
The court played the old form of tennis there such as in England and
France (according to Lisi @EmpresofHAB and 
https://empressofhab.wordpress.com/ )


Denmark


Crown Princess Mary of Denmark likes to play tennis just as her daughter
Princess Josephine. Especially during holidays the royals enjoyed playing
tennis. 


France

King Louis X of France (1289 - 1316)  liked to play tennis, just as
Charles VIII (1470-1498) and Francis, Duke of Brittany (1518-1536).
They had one other thing in common: they all died young. However
medieval tennis wasn't dangerous, It was as modern tennis but with lots
heavier material. 




When King Louis XIV moved his court to Versailles a new tennis hall 
was built for Nicolas Creté, the Tennis Master of the King, a few miles
from the palace of Versailles in old Versailles. It has been said that the
French Revolution started on a tennis court ....


Germany


On 28 July 1914, Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany ordered his son the
Crown Prince to play tennis to stay out of harm's way.

So, Wilhelm, German Crown Prince (1882-1951) played tennis at Zoppot
a seaside resort 7 miles away from Danzig. Playing tennis was his only
military duty until the crisis was over ... . 




Monaco

It is known that Princess Grace, the mother of Prince Albert, the current
ruler of Monaco liked to play tennis. Princess Caroline of Monaco also
played often tennis, just as her mom.


Russia

In 1910, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his daughters visited a tennis
court. Tennis was in Imperial Russia a very popular sport.

One of the Tsar's tennis partners was Felix Yusupov, later one of the
assassins of Rasputin.

In 1913 Grand Duchess Olga of Russia mentioned tennis at least 100
times in her diary.


Grand Duchess Olga and her sisters




Scotland

In 1437 at the Blackfriars in Perth, a tennis game led indirectly to the
death of King James I of Scotland. He couldn't escape his assassins
because the drain outlet was blocked to prevent the loss of the tennis balls.

Sweden

In 1876, King Gustaf V of Sweden learned to play tennis
during a visit to England. Back in Sweden he founded the first 
tennis club in his country. 





The Netherlands


Queen Máxima of The Netherlands was seen playing tennis at the
King Games Youth Sport Day in 2017. Princess Alexia also likes to
play tennis.

Even Queen Wilhelmina of The Netherlands has played tennis as
well. 


United Kingdom


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge like to play tennis just as Diana, Princess
of Wales did. Some sources say that even Prince George likes to play tennis. 

Diana, Princess of Wales, played doubles at the Vanderbilt Racquet club with
German tennis player Steffi Graf in June 1988. 

The Duke of Sussex was a keen sportsman at school. In 2016 he played tennis 
at the Youth Sports Festival in Antigua.

The Queen's father, King George VI, competed at Wimbledon even before he
became King! He played at the men's double tournament just a few months 
before Elizabeth was born.


Prince Edward played tennis in 1993 at Holyport Real Tennis Court. 

Sarah, Duchess of York, also is a tennis player. In 2000 she took part in a 
celebrity tennis match.

However royal interest in England for tennis started with King Henry V 
(1413-1422).

Henry VIII (1509-1547) made the biggest impact as young monarch, 
playing the game with guests at Hampton Court on a court he built in 
1530. It was said that Anne Boleyn was arrested while she watched a
tennis game. Henry was playing tennis when the news of her execution
arrived.



Conclusion


We may conclude that tennis still is a real royal hobby. Luckily! 
Tennis is developed via the various royal courts and I hope we can keep
watching tennis for a long time! 




Source pictures: Wikipedia

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