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Royal Tennis Court (Real Tennis)
Royal Tennis Court at Hampton Court Palace. Tennis was played on this site by Henry VIII from 1528. As a young, handsome, athletic man Henry was passionately addicted to sport, and particularly to tennis. Legend has it that he heard of the execution of Queen Anne Boleyn as he played tennis at Hampton Court Palace. During the 17th century various improvements were made to the court. One of the first acts of Charles II after his restoration in 1660 was to order the extensive refitting of the Tudor Tennis Court.