Back in time for tennis

BALLARAT Tennis Club will present costumed, theatrical matches of real or royal tennis as part of Ballarat Heritage Festival on Saturday 17 May.

Community members are invited to the Larter Street indoor court to go back in time as part of A Real Tennis Spectacle, a day of historic re-enactment exhibition matches featuring players including Henry VIII, Mary Queen of Scots, Caravaggio and a monk.

Costumed spectators like ‘Madame Versailles,’ played by Amie Brûlée, will mix with the public in the gallery, and throughout the day there will be demonstrations on racquet repairing and ball-stitching.

“There’s a big connection with tennis in France,” BTC member Lucinda Horrocks said.

“We did a Zoom meeting with the president of the tennis association in France and he gave us expressions that come from tennis that he used in daily life.

“Amie has a few insults in French, so she can throw a bit of shade on those on court.”

BTC president Patrick Sunter said 2025 has been a great chance to get involved with Heritage Festival in a new way as the theme is entertainment.

“It really fits in well with real tennis, which is a game about the sporting side, but also the enjoyment and spectating,” he said.

“Alongside watching the exhibition match with the historical characters, people who come along will have the opportunity to try the game and play as well.”

Ms Horrocks said real tennis is the 800-year-old ancestor of all racquet sports, dating back to medieval times.

Ballarat’s real tennis court is one of only five in Australia.

“Tennis played in a walled court first came to Ballarat in the 1860s as Europeans flocked to the gold rush and brought their pastimes with them,” she said.

Attendees are welcome to dress up in a costume referencing any time, place or dimension. Tickets are free but seats are limited. Visit Eventbrite for tickets.