Ballarat Tennis Club

388 Larter Street,
Canadian VIC 3350

Get directions

  • Sat 17 May

10am–5:30pm

Come watch and play real (royal) tennis, the authentic game played from medieval times to the Ballarat goldfields to the present.

A day showcasing the historic sport of real tennis which is still played today at the Ballarat Tennis Club.

The event will feature costumed exhibition matches of the 800-year-old game from which all other racquet sports are derived - with players representing historical figures from the 1200s to the 2000s. Tennis played in a walled court first came to Ballarat in the 1860s as Europeans flocked to the gold rush and brought their pastimes with them.

There will be opportunities for audience members to get on the court and have a go themselves, plus demonstrations of the age-old traditions of repairing wooden racquets and the making of hand-stitched balls. Special historic guests will mingle with visitors in the court's unique Gallery areas - openings in the walls of the court which have a dual purpose of giving spectators a great view of the match, while also being part of the game's intricate scoring system.

Here is your chance to connect to this great tradition of entertainment in a game that combines skill, athleticism, and complex tactics!

Tickets are free, but seats are limited, so get in early to nab a ticket to one of the sessions before they sell out.

Content: Ballarat Tennis Club

Accessibility Information

  • Disabled access available, contact operator for details.

Please note: The accessibility information above is provided by the business operator. For more information, please contact the business directly.

Visitor Information Centres

Ballarat Town Hall
225 Sturt Street
Ballarat VIC 3350

Ballarat Botanical Gardens
401-405 Wendouree Parade
Lake Wendouree VIC 3350

Acknowledgement of Country

Across Victoria’s Midwest, we acknowledge that we travel across the ancient landscapes of many First Peoples communities. These lands have been nurtured and cared for over tens of thousands of years and we respect the work of Traditional Custodians for their ongoing care and protection.

We recognise the past injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this country. As our knowledge grows, we hope that we can learn from their resilience and creativity that has guided them for over 60,000 years. As we invite people to visit and explore Victoria’s Midwest, we ask that alongside us, you also grow to respect the stories, living culture and connection to Country of the Ancestors and Elders of our First Peoples.


©️ 2025 Visit Ballarat. This initiative is funded by the City of Ballarat and Tourism Midwest Victoria.