Royal Melbourne Tennis Club

The Royal Melbourne Tennis Club (RMTC) is one of only five real tennis clubs in Australia, and the site of one of less than fifty real tennis venues in the world. RMTC is the second oldest in Australia, and the largest, and only one of five clubs in the world with more than one court (along with Queens Club, Prested Hall, Cambridge University Real Tennis Club and the Racquet and Tennis Club).

The RMTC is the home of the Australian Open, as well as the largest (in terms of player involvement) Real Tennis tournament in the world, the Boomerang Cup. Robert Fahey, the longest-serving world champion of all time, was a professional at RMTC prior to his move to the UK.

History

In 1882 Lord Normanby, the Governor of Victoria, opened the court of the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club in Exhibition Street, Melbourne. This building originally consisted of a real tennis court and club rooms, but later included squash courts (said to have been Australia’s first) and an indoor swimming pool.

The Club’s status was enhanced in 1897 when Queen Victoria granted a Royal Charter to the Club enabling it to be known by its present title The Royal Melbourne Tennis Club. Thomas Stone was appointed the first Professional and manager of the Club and was in time succeeded by his son Woolner Stone. Thomas and then Woolner each made an immense contribution to the Club over a period of many years.

As the City of Melbourne expanded, the costs of owning expensive City real estate and of maintaining the Exhibition Street building had risen beyond the means of the Club. In the early 1970s the Committee sold the site and established the present Club premise in Richmond. The new courts and clubhouse was officially opened in 1975 by Lord Aberdare, President of the Tennis and Rackets Association and the facilities now include two tennis courts, a squash court, bar, swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, library/meeting room and dining room.

References

* [http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/stories/s1555004.htm Article about the club]
* [http://www.theage.com.au/news/tennis/zealots-are-happy-to-play-hard-ball/2006/01/28/1138319489983.html Article about Real Tennis Australian Open]
* [http://www.rmtc.com.au/ Club members' website]
* [http://www.theage.com.au/news/tennis/tennis-with-a-history/2007/01/04/1167777217470.html Article about Boomerang Cup]