Ivan, who has just completed his A-Levels, has been playing Real Tennis for three years and is a member of Hampton Court Palace Real Tennis Club. In the last twelve months Ivan played in the World U18 Championships, losing in the quarter finals. He is the current Hampton Court Junior Club Champion in singles and doubles, and plays for the club in the national league.
Incredibly, in November Ivan joined HRH The Earl of Wessex in the final event of his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award World Real Tennis Tour. They played an exhibition set of doubles and Ivan is seen here receiving a certificate accordingly from The Earl.
For more information about this fascinating and complicated game visit https://www.royaltenniscourt.com and if anyone fancies trying it out please contact the club directly or contact us and we can put you in touch with Ivan’s father, Simon Barker, who also plays the sport competitively.