Merton Street Tennis Court, almost opposite Merton College, is the home of the Oxford University Real Tennis Club. Merton College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. ... The University of Oxford, located in the city of Oxford in England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. ... Real tennis is the original racket sport from which the modern game of lawn tennis, or tennis, is descended. ...

There has been a tennis court in Oxford since 1450 and one at the Merton Street site since c. 1494, according to http://www.tennisbookshop.com/real.htm. Or, according to http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/features/2004/09/secret_oxford.shtml, Oxford has had a court since 1595 and one at this site since 1798. Oxford is a city and local government district in Oxfordshire, England, with a population of 134,248 (2001 census). ... Events March - French troops under Guy de Richemont besiege the English commander in France, Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, in Caen April 15 - Battle of Formigny. ... Merton Street is a historic and picturesque cobbled lane in central Oxford, England. ... 1494 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Events January 30 - William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet is performed for the first time. ... 1798 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

The Merton Street court, being early, has somewhat non-standard dimensions, and in particular an unusually flat(?) tambour.

See also

• Oriel Square tennis court

Books

• Tennis and Oxford by Jeremy Potter; 1st edition of 1994; 152 pp in 8vo and dw