All About Road Tennis: A Truly Barbadian Sport!

Photo courtesy of Juliet Worrell from Touch of Class Women’s Road Tennis Tournament

written by Carla Bellot of @barbadianista

When someone is asked to think of something that is “Bajan”, images of our beautiful beaches, friendly people and rich culture immediately come to mind. However, Barbados is also the birthplace of an exciting and unique sport called road tennis. Combining aspects of lawn tennis, badminton, and ping pong, this sport is enjoyed throughout the island and has become an integral part of Barbadian culture over the last few decades.

Road tennis shares similarities with the traditional style of tennis, but has some unique twists of its own. This game is played on a smaller concrete court, and instead of a net, a wooden divider is used. Smaller, wooden rackets that look similar to table tennis rackets, and a solid, smooth ball are used. Just like lawn tennis, it can be played as either “singles” or “doubles”. How to win?Just be the first player to reach 21 points! If both players are tied at 20 points, it’s called a deuce, just like in lawn tennis.

Road tennis came about in the 1930s, created by Barbadians that didn’t have access to traditional tennis courts, but still wanted to enjoy the thrill of the game. Being resourceful, they created their own version and played on the streets, using what materials they had. It quickly gained popularity, and the Barbados Road Tennis Association (BRTA) was established in 1931 to help regulate and promote the game.

So, where can you watch road tennis matches? Just go through local neighbourhoods and community centres on weekends, and you’re sure to see some friendly matches between neighbours and friends. There is a competitive level, with sponsored tournaments with large audiences and attractive prizes. The game is also displayed at cultural events, such as Bridgetown Market just before Grand Kadooment in August, and the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) held in November.

So, grab a ball and racket and join in the fun of this uniquely Barbadian game!