Are you playing Real Tennis? And other April Fool delights
By Yvonne Lanelli

 
As hinted last month, the origins of April Fools’ Day may have originated with the switching of
calendars–Julian or Gregorian--in Europe’s Middle Ages which moved New Year’s Day from April 1 to January 1. Folks slow to get the news or who simply forgot and wished Happy New Year to their friends were dubbed “April Fools,” sez History.com. Google “origins of April Fools’ Day” and you’ll uncover lots and lots of origin legends.
 
What has this to do with tennis?
 
First, answer the question above, “Are you playing Real Tennis?”  If you answered, “Of course, I’m playing real tennis,” are you the April Fool?
 
The term “Real Tennis” comes from “Royal Tennis,” the forerunner of the modern game, says HistoryExtra.com. Royal tennis was based on a game in 12th-century France where players used their hands to bat the ball around. Over the years, racquets were added, rules developed, and the scoring of points became Love, 15, 30, 40 and Game, instead of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4.  The game was played on indoor courts with high walls that the ball could be hit off, as in modern squash. Sloping roofs, viewing galleries, and lots of lines marking extensive playing areas plus a net across the middle meant that Royal Tennis was truly a sport for the wealthy.
 
So, are you playing Real Tennis? Are you April Fooled? Regardless of how you answered the Real Tennis question, ALTA guarantees you’ll always play tennis and have lots and lots of “REAL” fun. No foolin’.
 
We anticipate a “ribbon cutting” at the highly anticipated Outlaw Pavilion/bathroom structure in the near future.


 
ALTA welcomes players of all abilities for scheduled play, weather permitting, and to social mixers and club play during Grand Slam weeks, as well as other social events during the year. We sponsor First Racquet, an introduction to tennis for children, during the summer. For further information and to become a member, go to the ALTA page on the Club’s website HERE.
 
SIGN UPS for Tennis Clinics the week of July 22 continues. Two hour clinic for 8 is $55 per person; One and a half hour clinic for 4 is $56 per person. Contact Elaine Wedgeworth at [email protected] or (512)635-6730.
 

Save the date TENNIS EVENTS:
French Open Mixer-Saturday June 8
First Racquet-Wednesday July 3
Breakfast at Wimbledon Mixer-Saturday July 13
Tennis Clinics-Week of July 22
US Open Mixer-Saturday September 7
Christmas Mixer-Saturday December 7
Tennis, anyone? Tennis, everyone!