Ivan Ronaldson obituary

Ivan Ronaldson, a renowned real tennis professional, has passed away at the age of 51 due to a heart attack. Ronaldson dedicated his career to coaching and mentoring dozens of aspiring players at various clubs, including Hampton Court, Fontainebleau in France, and Prested Hall in Essex. Prior to his coaching career, Ronaldson was a talented junior player, winning multiple national age group titles. Real tennis, the precursor to modern lawn tennis, has been played since medieval times and was even enjoyed by King Henry VIII. The game remains largely unchanged, with players using solid, hand-stitched balls and asymmetric wooden rackets to hit the ball over a drooping net and off the walls of the court. Ronaldson's passing is a significant loss for the real tennis community, as he was widely regarded as an inspirational figure who played a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of real tennis players.