No 3/274 The Racquet of the Majesty 1583
- Berlin Tennis Gallery
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
The Racquet of the Majesty, dated 1583, belongs to the Golden age of Real Tennis, the sport of European kings. The game had evolved from the French Jeu de Paume and became a symbol of royal prestige. Courts were built in palaces such as Hampton Court under King Henry VIII, where the game was played indoors with refined skill and ceremony. Across France, by the end of the sixteenth century, hundreds of such courts stood in use, serving nobles and courtiers alike. In Normandy, craftsmen were already recorded as makers of racquet frames, producing tools of remarkable precision.
The craftsmanship of these early racquets reflected both artistry and innovation. Frames were shaped from selected hardwoods, its asymmetric head designed to meet the unpredictable bounce of hand-sewn balls. Strung with natural gut, the racquet required meticulous tensioning to ensure balance and control.
The Racquet of the Majesty, preserved today at the Berlin Tennis Gallery, stands as a witness to this transition, marking the dawn of tennis.
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About the Author:
Andreas Fixemer
Berlin Tennis Gallery
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