International Tennis Day
June 20
About International Tennis Day
International Tennis Day takes place every year on 20 June and celebrates court tennis, also known as real tennis or jeu de paume, the medieval racket sport from which modern lawn tennis descends. Founded in 2014, the day brings together clubs, schools and universities across several continents to raise the profile of the historic game and welcome newcomers to the court.
The Story Behind International Tennis Day
International Tennis Day was established in 2014 and is funded by the United States Court Tennis Preservation Foundation. The celebration is directed by the United States Court Tennis Association, with support from national court tennis governing bodies and associations around the world. Its purpose is straightforward: to raise the profile of court tennis and to catalyse interest in a game that, despite its rich history, is played at only a small number of surviving courts worldwide.
The choice of 20 June is no accident. The date commemorates the Tennis Court Oath, taken on 20 June 1789 by nearly 600 members of France’s Third Estate at a real tennis court near the Palace of Versailles. Locked out of their usual meeting hall, the deputies gathered in the indoor court and vowed not to disperse until a new constitution had been established for France. The moment, immortalised in Jacques-Louis David’s celebrated 1791 painting, became a defining episode of the early French Revolution. The date was suggested by the squash and tennis historian James Zug, linking the modern celebration to one of the most famous moments in which a tennis court played a part in world events.
Court tennis itself predates lawn tennis by centuries. The game flourished in medieval and Renaissance Europe, played by monarchs and nobility in enclosed courts with sloping roofs, buttresses and openings that form part of the playing area. Henry VIII was a devoted player, and the sport’s vocabulary and scoring left a lasting mark on the lawn tennis that emerged in the nineteenth century. International Tennis Day honours that lineage and keeps the older game in the public eye.
When and Where is International Tennis Day Celebrated?
International Tennis Day falls on Saturday, 20 June 2026. It is observed annually on the same date, regardless of the day of the week. Celebrations take place at participating court tennis clubs across the United States, England, France, Australia, Ireland and the Netherlands, the countries where the historic game survives. Because real tennis courts are rare, the day has a strong international and community focus, connecting players who might otherwise feel isolated within a niche sport.
Traditions and Customs
Participating venues mark the day in a variety of ways, blending competition with celebration:
- Exhibition matches – Clubs stage demonstrations and exhibition games so that spectators and curious newcomers can watch the unusual game in action and understand its complex rules.
- Marathon matches – Some venues organise extended marathon matches that run for hours, testing players’ stamina and drawing attention to the day.
- Open clinics – Coaching clinics give beginners the chance to pick up a racket and try court tennis for the first time, often free of charge.
- Banners and decoration – Clubs display colourful banners measuring roughly three feet square to mark their participation and create a shared visual identity across the network.
- Social gatherings – Tournaments are frequently followed by parties and receptions, reflecting the convivial, club-based culture of the sport.
Ways to Celebrate International Tennis Day
You do not need to be a seasoned player to take part. Here are several ways to get involved:
- Visit a real tennis club – Find a participating court tennis venue near you and attend an open day to watch the game played as it has been for centuries.
- Try a clinic – Book onto a beginners’ clinic and experience how different court tennis feels from the modern lawn game.
- Learn the history – Read about the Tennis Court Oath and the role real tennis played in the courts of Henry VIII and Renaissance Europe.
- Watch and share – Follow the action online and share posts using the hashtag #itennisday to spread awareness of the sport.
- Support a club – Many real tennis clubs are charities or members’ associations working hard to preserve historic courts, so a donation or membership helps keep the game alive.
- Introduce a friend – Bring someone who has never heard of court tennis and let them discover the sport’s quirks and traditions.
Facts and Figures
- International Tennis Day was founded in 2014 by the United States Court Tennis Preservation Foundation.
- The date of 20 June marks the anniversary of the Tennis Court Oath of 1789, sworn at a real tennis court near Versailles.
- The day is directed by the United States Court Tennis Association with international support.
- Around 30 clubs across six countries, the United States, England, France, Australia, Ireland and the Netherlands, take part each year.
- The official hashtag for the celebration is #itennisday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is International Tennis Day?
International Tennis Day is an annual celebration of court tennis, also known as real tennis or jeu de paume. Founded in 2014, it raises the profile of the historic racket sport and encourages newcomers to try it.
When is International Tennis Day in 2026?
It takes place on Saturday, 20 June 2026, and is held on the same date every year.
How is International Tennis Day different from World Tennis Day?
International Tennis Day on 20 June celebrates court tennis and commemorates the Tennis Court Oath. World Tennis Day, held on the first Monday of March, was established by the International Tennis Federation to celebrate the modern game and the federation’s founding anniversary.
Spread the Word
Share International Tennis Day with your community using #itennisday and #InternationalTennisDay2026. Whether you mark the occasion with a visit to a historic court or simply by learning the story of the Tennis Court Oath, every bit of awareness helps keep this remarkable tradition alive.
Related Awareness Days
- World Juggling Day – Another June celebration of a skill that blends sport, history and showmanship.
- National Yard Games Day – A day devoted to outdoor games and friendly competition, falling the day after International Tennis Day.
- National Camera Day – A chance to capture the action at your local club and share it with the world.
Links
- Visit the official International Tennis Day website
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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