tennis NEWS

Tickets Now Available for RTC's Champions Trophy

Spectators can watch the world’s top-ranking players for as little as £10 per match, along with the chance to meet the competitors and learn more about the game of Real Tennis. (To purchase tickets, click here.)

This year’s new-look format includes qualifying rounds for 8 participants as well as the main draw, a new Amateur Handicap Doubles where CT24 players are allocated a pair to coach and support, a Golf Day at Hampton Court Palace Golf Club and a gala dinner.

The Real Tennis Champions Trophy is an annual event that is unique to the Royal Tennis Club. It was devised by head pro Nick Wood — a former European Opens, and Australian, US and British Opens Doubles Winner — to allow the game’s world champions to play competitively at the home of the game. “The trophy was conceived to allow the world's top players to compete at the home of Real Tennis and provide a location for the general public as well as club members to watch and enjoy the sport,” commented Wood. “I am delighted to see the Trophy grow and expand into a Real Tennis festival.”

Now in its 6th year, the tournament has been supported by Mitsubishi Electric since its second iteration. “Mitsubishi Electric was introduced to Real Tennis by Historic Royal Palaces, the charity which runs Hampton Court Palace, and of which we are a longstanding supporter. We immediately saw a natural fit with the values of the game and have been a proud supporter ever since,” enthused Hans-Joerg Hinkel, Senior Corporate Communications Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Europe. “Supporting the original game of tennis highlights our dedication to preserving history and traditions as well as healthy well-being”.

This year the trophy is taking place from 28 July to 04 August, starting with the qualifying competition on the 28th followed by the Trophy Days on 29-30 May, the doubles tournament takes place on 1-2 August, semi-finals on the 3rd and culminates on Sunday 4th August with the finals and prize-giving.

Last year’s winner John Lumley will be taking part in 2024 to defend his title. Speaking after his win in 2023, he said of the tournament, “I had an amazing time at the Champions Trophy and really enjoyed being at the Palace to play world-class Real Tennis... Winning was very special to me, in front of a great crowd, and with my family cheering me on.”

Tickets are available for all spectators throughout the tournament for the Dedans Viewing Gallery (Seated) and the Upper Viewing Gallery (Standing). Tickets include exclusive access to the Royal Tennis Court club rooms and private garden, costing from £10 to £35 per person, per match. Free tickets are available for the qualifying matches on Tuesday 28 May and 8-21 year olds are welcome to spectate free of charge in the Upper Viewing Gallery throughout the tournament (subject to availability). All T&RA members can apply to join in the Amateur Doubles and the Gala Dinner.

For more information, click here.

NOTES

The first tennis court at Hampton Court Palace was built for Cardinal Wolsey, between 1526 and 1529. As a young man, Henry VIII was a keen and talented tennis player, who spent hours on court. Henry VIII would recognise a game of real tennis if he saw it today: it has changed little since he enjoyed it. The equipment is still hand-made as it has been for nearly 500 years.

Hampton Court Palace has witnessed generation after generation of royal intrigue and sporting drama, with Charles II, William III, Prince Albert and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh all mastering the art of Real Tennis within its walls.

Many annual matches take place throughout the year open to members, non-members, juniors and World Champions, depending on the event. A full calendar can be found on the RTC website: www.royaltenniscourt.com

Qualification for Entry
All players with a World Ranking or valid RTO handicap are entitled to return an entry form. To qualify for the event, entries will be accepted firstly, by world ranking down to 15 and then by the RTO handicap. The 6 best ranked entrants are placed in the main draw the next 8 players will be seeded into two groups. The winner of each group will be drawn into the main event. The draw will take place on Tuesday 18th June 2024, taking into account the rankings post the results of the 2024 Schochet Cup.

Qualifying Tournament Format

Tuesday 30th & Wednesday 31st July 2024
There are eight available places in the qualifying stage. Eight of the fourteen best-ranked entrants are split into two groups, playing each other in a one-set match to nine games. The top player with the best results - Wins / Game ratio / Result - qualify for the main draw. The two qualifying players are drawn into the places in the main event at the CT24 Reception Drinks event.

Main Draw
The main draw - the top six seeded players plus the two qualifying players compete for the tournament title; each match is played over the best of three sets.

Schedule of play:
Thursday 1st August - Matches A, B, C, & D - First round - Top 6 plus two qualifiers
Friday 2nd August - Match E & D
Saturday 22nd August - Semi-finals Match F & G
Sunday 23rd August - Match H - CT23 Final
The main draw format brings closely ranked players together throughout the tournament.