Courts
Royal Melbourne Tennis Club
Royal Melbourne Tennis Club
the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club was opened in 1882 by Lord Normanby, located in Exhibition Street in the centre of Melbourne. The Club consisted of a tennis court and club rooms, and later squash courts and a swimming pool were added.
During the 1970s, the Committee sold the Exhibition Street site and boldly purchased the Richmond site in 1974, which included several houses in Richmond Hill, allowing for a bigger Club and expansion plans. The new building boasted two real tennis courts, two squash courts, a car park, a private garden, and swimming pool and beautiful surrounds that some call ‘the hidden oasis’.
The Royal Melbourne Tennis Club building and grounds were designed by Melbourne architect Daryl Jackson, built in 1974.
The new Club site was opened in 1975 by Lord Aberdare, President of the Tennis & Rackets Association.
Today, the Club has a relaxed feel with people popping in for social occasions, tennis, lunch on Wednesday and Friday, and the many evening Pennant events. We run a full calendar of events with something for players of all standards. The schedule is full nearly every weekend.
The Club is centrally located on Richmond Hill, 10 minutes from Melbourne CBD and includes:
Buses run along Punt road, conveniently stopping nearby on Punt Road/Rowena Parade. The train stops in Richmond, and is conveniently a 10 min walk to the Club. The club has a private car park for members to use when playing.
Catch the #75 and #48 Trams from the city along Flinders St to the first stop on Richmond Hill opposite Epworth Hospital. Less than 10 minutes from the city centre.
Our premier regular event is the Boomerang Cup, established over 20 years ago. In January 2014 we hosted the Australian Open (Men’s and Ladies) and in may will host the World Championship which will see the great champion, Rob Fahey attempt to retain the title for the 13th time.
We have also been fortunate to host the Women’s World Championship over the years. The 2011 event attracted the best players in the world, and cemented Claire Vigrass as Champion, with her first World Championship victory.
Why would you be interested in joining?
The RMTC is a friendly club, with playing members ranging from 11 to 80+
We offer a range of activities including:
Our team of Professionals make the members time at the Club a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
It is said that being a member of RMTC is like having a personal assistant to help organise your tennis. That’s because the professionals help arrange games for you with players of a similar standard. They try to get to know when you like to play and help get you on court. It’s a wonderful service they provide to the members.
Our professional team are also busy hand making our 14 sets of 56 tennis balls, stringing racquets, taking lessons and clinics, marking competition matches and organising tournaments. There is also a range of tennis apparel available to purchase from the Pro-shop.
We are blessed to have a very experienced Pro team, headed by Frank Filippelli & Jonathan Howell and includes Paul Tabley, Kate Leeming and Nick Howell. They have worked in many Clubs throughout the world, ranked highly as players and know their craft well. Their contribution is greatly appreciated by the members.
real tennis is the original racquet sport from which the modern game of lawn tennis, or tennis, is descended. Real tennis is still played by enthusiasts on 47 existing courts in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and France.
Real Tennis has its origins in Europe during the Middle Ages. Though tennis is traditionally thought of as the game of kings, early records show that it was widely played among the French clergy. It is thought the monastic style buildings lent themselves to games played within the quadrangles and games that utilised the walls. The balls were first made from the monks’ discarded robes. Among the English kings Henry VII, Henry VIII, Charles I and Charles II and James II are all known to have played, with Henry VIII being responsible for the Royal court, which still exists at Hampton Court Palace.
The Real Tennis World Championship is the longest running continuous world championship of any sport. Australian Robert Fahey, a former RMTC professional, is the current world champion. Rob successfully defended his title in May 2010 at the RMTC for the tenth time since first winning it in 1994. Rob has gone on to retain the World Champion title since, with his win against Steve Virgona at Queen’s Club London in 2012. Our game has since 2001 also conducted the World Tennis Doubles Championship. This event was held at the RMTC in February 2011; Rob Fahey and Steve Virgona successfully defended their title for the fourth time, defeating Julian Snow (a winner of the inaugural event) and Ben Matthews.
We are also fortunate to have hosted the womens world championship in 2011, where Claire Vigrass won her first championship. Claire is the current women’s world champion and continues to raise the bar, regularly competing against men and a true ambassador for women’s tennis..
This year, we are delighted to host the Men’s World Championship in May 2014.
One of the world’s great sporting events starts right here in Melbourne on May 6th 2014. Robert Fahey is seeking a thirteenth world championship, extending his reign to over 20 years. Recently we saw Rob win the Australian Open in January. World Championship eliminator matches are being held in the US and UK during February and March.
The Australian Open will be held again in January 2015.
The club’s premier amateur event, the Boomerang Cup was held in January 2014. The RMTC Chasers were victorious over the Hatfield Hedonists in the narrowest of victories. The event normally occurs every two years.
I am pleased that the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club will host the 2014 Real Tennis World Championship. RMTC is one of the world’s leading real tennis clubs and I join with our members in extending a warm welcome to the players and all visitors. The World Championship is proudly sponsored by Link Pumps and we thank them for their support.
The defending World Champion Robert Fahey is gearing up for a record twelfth defence. In February and March, four opponents will compete in a series of eliminators to become the Challenger. Will we see a new Champion, or another tour de force by Rob Fahey? Either way, it’s an event not to be missed!
Melbourne has recently installed new lighting and has some of the best viewing in the world, allowing more spectators than ever before the chance to see the match.
We are also delighted to be the first World Championship with a dedicated youth focus. Young players are the future of our sport and we especially encourage their participation and support of the week.
The following pages describe the week in detail and we encourage you to return your form to us as soon as possible, and no later than xxxx.
I look forward to seeing you in May 2014.
Jonathan Hamer
President, Royal Melbourne Tennis Club
T: +61 (3) 9429 9788
A: 18 Sherwood Street
Richmond
Victoria 3121
E: pros@rmtc.com.au
Head Professional – Frank Filippelli
Deputy Head Professional – Jonathan Howell
Professional – Kate Leeming
Professional – Paul Tabley
Professional - Nick Howell
M: 0408 663 623
By Appointment only Mon/Wed/Fri
Contact: Honni Rooney
T: +61 (3) 9429 9009
F: +61 (3) 9428 3280
E: admin@rmtc.com.au
T: +61 (3) 9429 9788
A: 18 Sherwood Street
Richmond
Victoria 3121
Contact: Barbara Craig (Wed & Fri)
