Short court tennis formats
RTC Short-Court Tennis Hub proposal
Traditional, full-court tennis is a beautiful game, but it can be technically frustrating for beginners and highly demanding on the joints for older players.
To break down these barriers, Richmond Tennis Club is exploring an exciting facility innovation: modifying 3 of our 10 traditional courts into a dedicated, high-density "Short-Court Tennis Hub."
What is a Short-Court Tennis Hub?
This dedicated zone uses real tennis rackets, standard strings, and slower, modified pressurized or foam balls, all scaled down to smaller court boundaries. It mimics the exact skills, spins, and tactical thrills of full-court tennis, but makes the game immediately accessible, high-density, and incredibly fun from the very first rally.
This hub will become the ultimate launchpad for junior development, an instant fitness arena for adults, and a lifelong sanctuary for senior players.
Explore the Formats
Click the links below to see how these different short-court tracks work and find the perfect fit for your household:
1. Tennis NZ Hot Shots Red & Orange Level Tennis
The ultimate blueprint for youth development and family play. By scaling the court and ball speed to match a child's height and reaction time, kids experience 10x more successful rallies. It stops them from getting discouraged by a full-sized court and turns tennis into an instant family sport where parents and kids can actually rally together.
👉 Learn more about Junior Hot Shots Pathways
2. Pop Tennis (Orange Level Courts)
Pop Tennis is played on the intermediate Orange-sized courts. It is incredibly easy to pick up, has an authentic "tennis feel," and is designed for all ages and abilities. Because the court is smaller and the ball is slower, it reduces the amount of running required—making it an excellent, joint-friendly alternative that keeps senior players in the game longer while offering an amazing cardio workout for adults.
👉 Learn more about Pop Tennis Formats
3. Touch Tennis (Red Level Courts)
Played on the smaller Red-sized courts, Touch Tennis is a short, sharp, and incredibly fast-paced version of the game. It relies on intense reflex rallies, heavy spin, and clever angles rather than raw power. It is an equalizer format where players of completely different eras and skill levels can face off on equal terms. It's addictive, highly competitive, and spectacular fun.
👉 Learn more about Touch Tennis Formats
🗳️ Have Your Say!
We want to build this community space for you. If you haven't already, please take 5 minutes to fill out our 2026 Club Health Check Survey to let the committee know which formats your household would utilize the most!