From Winter 2024 newsletter
Fred Satow on Oxford success in the 2024 World Masters Age Group Championships
The World Masters Age Group Championships were held at Queen’s Club in May 2024. These are played in five-year age groups and Oxford alumni were well represented in both the individual singles and doubles.
Roman Krznaric (Pembroke) was a semi-finalist in the Over 50s singles and finalist in the doubles. Very unfortunately he had to retire from both due to injury – the injuries that prompted his article in the last edition of the Newsletter.
Fred Satow (Trinity) valiantly played in both the Over 55 and Over 65 doubles, while Nick Geere (St Peter’s) and Marek Stefanowicz were in the Over 60s singles. Marek (partnering John Prenn) was a finalist in the Over 70s doubles and in the Over 70s singles.
Peter Begg of Brasenose and Tim Harper separately reached the semi-finals of the Over 75 singles and then paired up to make the semi-finals of the doubles. However, they came up against our own ex-Head Pro Alan Oliver who won both the singles and (with Jill Newby) the doubles.
Congratulations Alan!
Alan on serve in the World Masters
And receiving his trophy
No Oxford alumni took part in the Over 80s.
The next age group championships will be taking place in Australia in 2026. If you will qualify for any of the age groups do think about entering, especially as there should be an opportunity to try out the new Sydney court. As yet there are no female only events but if a demand is recognised they could perhaps be introduced.
Graham Harding on 1595 and all that!
This coming year it’s the 430th anniversary of the founding of the Merton Court and thus the beginning of our Club. Admittedly, 430th doesn’t have quite the ring of 450th or 500th – but those events are a long way away and we need to work with what we’ve got…
In Britain
- Queen Elizabeth I had been on the throne for 37 years but by now was getting on a bit. The Virgin Queen’s white lead make-up was getting heavier and more poisonous
- Having talked his way out of the Tower, where he had been imprisoned for secretly marrying one of the Queen’s maids, Sir Walter Raleigh had set off that February to find the fabled golden city of El Dorado.
- On stage, William Shakespeare had collected his payment from the Queen for a performance at Christmas 1594 that she’d attended and was sharpening his quill. It’s probable that Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Richard II were written in 1595.
- Offstage, the fashionable were beginning to put heels on their shoes – probably to make themselves look appropriately fabulous.
- For the poor of Britain … not so good. Cost of living crisis! There were bad harvests in both 1594 and 1595 and in June 1595, food riots erupted in London.
And in tennis?
- It was 150 years before first world champion – Clergé the Elder – emerged but Antonio Scanio had already set down the rules which have barely changed in nearly 500 years.
- Scanio gratifyingly reckoned that tennis was a “very noble and rare exercise beneficial for body and mind”, so perhaps that was why it was already becoming popular in Oxford. There were already at least three courts: in Blue Boar Lane, Oriel Street and Merton Street.
- Our court first gets a mention on 6th October 1595 when it was built by John Lante and placed under the keepership of Thomas Wood, father of the antiquary Anthony (see the blue plaque on the wall of 5 Merton St). The keeper was today’s Andrew but we don’t know the name of any Oxford pro of that period.
- By the late 16th century, players were shifting from playing with bare hands or a short battoir (think table tennis bat) to the long-handled sheep gut strung rackets in the shape we know today. This was probably in line with the shift from leather-covered balls – often stuffed with dog’s hair or human hair – to cloth-covered balls much more like those we use today. On court, a guide to gentlemanly conduct suggests we value much the same qualities in players today. In John Eliot’s Parlement of Prattlers (1593), one chap – Nicholas – says admiringly of his opponent: “O divell! What a firking stroke is that! You have an arme of iron”
Andrew Davis on Railroad Real Tennis at Queens Club, 27th October 2024
This year, we had 25 for our annual Railroad Club event at Queens Club in late October. Once again it was great to see all these keen players – some were at OU back in the 70s and some are current students. All in all, a brilliant mix of players with handicaps ranging from 10-75! It was a lovely vibe all day – different to the event earlier in the year in Oxford yet similar at the same time! Even current OUTC club president, Professor Sir Neil Mortensen came down to play and see what it’s all about!
The format was again casual doubles with most people getting on court at least 3 or 4 times. This works well as part of the idea is that people who have not played in a while can feel relaxed about signing up and joining in. It was great to see people socialising over lunch – Queens is such a wonderful, friendly club and I feel very fortunate that we are being allowed to host events there.
There is an idea of a Railroad Club championship at some point too … that would be a more serious competition for those who would like that.
Georgie did a great job of putting the matches together ensuring that people of similar standard were on court together where at all possible.
It was great chat to have a drink afterwards with a group of enthusiastic quite recent leavers who enjoyed the day. Clearly there are London based ex-students who have ideas for events going forward – that gives me a lot of reassurance. We need ideas and people’s help implementing them for the RRC to thrive! If you can offer any support we would love to hear from you. It’s still early days in the whole Railroad initiative…