Leamington Tennis Court Club
Established in 1846, Leamington Tennis Court Club took inspiration from London clubs such as Whites, Boodles and the Reform. Its creation enabled Warwickshire gentry and the officers of Cavalry Regiments based nearby to meet, dine, drink and engage in a variety of sports and pastimes. While the Cavalry Regiments are no more, the World’s oldest club continues to flourish. Today, the membership is burgeoning, the court is busy and the social diary lively.
Social Play
Members play Real Tennis: a high-strategy racket sport, played indoors and essentially unchanged since the middle ages. Tennis can trace back the longest line of consecutive World champions of any sport on Earth.
Coaching
the club’s Academy has aims to deliver a minimum ten percent overall handicap improvement to any player. ‘Academicians’ are also able to participate both in Club and National League tournaments. For seniors, there are weekly sessions, and professional tuition in small groups. As well as the chance for players with a lower handicap to act as a mentor. Juniors can also experience the game at first hand, thanks to a specially-devised programme.
Competitive Tennis
Tennis players across the globe enjoy playing thanks to the ‘handicap’ system. This system was devised and formalised at Leamington, to ‘level the playing field’. The net effect of the handicap system is that players of dramatically different standards can enjoy a close match.
The club regular hosts competitions and many members are active in local and national tournaments.
Membership
Leamington Tennis Court Club is more than just the World’s oldest tennis club. It is considered to be one of the country’s best private members’ establishment. Therefore the club offers several membership categories, from General Tennis Member, to Full Family Tennis Member. Applicants must be proposed and seconded by members of at least 3 full years’ standing.