Newmarket Real Tennis Court - 2
The present court was built by Sir Charles
Rose, the MP for Newmarket, in 1900. Sir Charles was not
only keen on Tennis but was also one of the leading race
horse owners of his time.
He commissioned Joseph Bickley, the specialist builder, to
construct the tennis court as an extension to his residence,
Suffolk House, and the result was one of the finest and most
modern courts built in the U.K.
Sir Charles employed the current world champion, Peter
Latham, as his professional and the court was opened in June
1901 with a match between Latham and 'Punch' Fairs, his
successor as world champion.
Tennis clubs were held and exhibition matches were
frequently arranged. On at least one occasion King Edward
VII was late arriving at Newmarket races because he was
intent on watching one, of these games.
