A Real Tennis Spectacle – Ballarat Heritage Festival Event Day

Experience the historic sport of real tennis – the 800-year-old ancestor of all racquet sports – at a special day of exhibitions and hands-on fun at the Ballarat Tennis Club.
Watch the game come to life in two costumed exhibition matches, where players will embody figures from the 1200s to the 1800s in a playful historical mash-up. The singles match begins at 10am, followed by the doubles at 2pm. Tickets for each match are sold separately – book via the event calendar.
Fancy a hit? Join a one-hour group clinic (11:30am & 3:30pm) and try the game yourself. All levels welcome – just wear non-marking shoes and dress warmly, as the court is unheated.
Inside the club room, explore traditional racquet repairs and hand-stitched ball making, and meet costumed historic characters in the court’s unique Gallery spaces – architectural features that double as both spectator zones and part of the scoring system.
Dressing up is encouraged – come as a fan from any era, real or imagined!
Real tennis arrived in Ballarat in the 1860s, and this is your chance to connect with a rich sporting tradition. Entry is free, but seating is limited – book now!
Booking link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-real-tennis-spectacle-tickets-1292421660979?