The real deal in Prince’s court

THE Earl of Wessex gave some junior court stars a match to remember at the Hobart Real Tennis Club after touching down in Tasmania yesterday afternoon.

Three young players earned their exclusive place on the court through a series of playoff matches.

The earl — better known as Prince Edward — teamed with one of the club’s youngest members, 13-year-old Oliver Pridmore, to take on Ronan Pritchard, also 13, and Nick Stenning, 17.

The prince, who is Queen Elizabeth’s youngest son, took a photo and spoke with the group before the game.

“It’s actually much closer to cricket than it is to all the others, it’s bizarre. You just think you’ve got the hang of it and then it all goes horribly wrong,” he joked.

The prince and Oliver — who’s been playing for just over a year — took out the set 6-1.

“It’s been an honour, I’ll be able to tell my kids one day that I’ve met a member of the royal family,” Oliver said.

“The prince played really well and playing with him was a memory I’ll take to the grave.”

Club president Christine Stirling said she hoped the royal visit would encourage others, particularly future generations, to try the historic sport.

Real tennis — referred to as the “chess of tennis” — is the original racquet game.

The court includes walls that can be played off like squash and players have a handicap, much like in golf.

The prince’s visit to the state is part of a national tour promoting the sport and fund- raising for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

Prince Edward will spend most of today meeting with young Tasmanians aged 14 to 25 undertaking the award, as well as volunteers and supporters who drive the program.

The award recognises young Australians who learn a skill, improve their physical wellbeing, volunteer in their community and take on a team adventure in a new environment.

Those lucky enough to get up close and personal with the prince will include students at the TasTAFE Drysdale Restaurant and St Aloysius Catholic College.

Prince Edward will then launch the bicentenary of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens at 11am, followed by a meet and greet with the public, before leaving the state. People are urged to arrive early to avoid congestion.