An American study abroad student has linked up with Hampton Court to start a Real Tennis Club at his university.

Trevor Jones, 20, is originally from Rhode Island in America. He is spending a semester studying at St Marys University, Twickenham.

As a racket sport fanatic, Mr Jones wants to play every racket sport in the world. Through this goal he came across Real Tennis whilst still in America.

He said: “The plan was to play it just once, but I fell in love with it. I started a club at my home university. When I was choosing to go abroad, I found out that Hampton Court has a Real Tennis Court and St Marys has excellent racket-based sports teams.

“That’s why it was the perfect place for me to come and study.”

The English student plays tennis, squash and badminton for the university teams. He did want to continue playing Real Tennis, so went to Hampton Court to sign up.

There he spoke to Nick Wood and they discussed starting a club at the university. Mr Jones said: “I had started a similar club at my home university in America, but it was much easier hear. We had the first taster session, where about five people turn up which was great.

“We have also received a from a foundation which will hopefully go along way in growing the club. My study abroad finishes in 2019 but I am hoping to grow the club enough that it stays active once I am gone.”

Nick Wood, head professional at Royal Real Tennis, said: “Trevor is visiting from the US and has achieved more in 2 months than I have in 2 years. We have been trying to find a way in to local colleges and universities, specifically, St Mary's College to promote the game of real tennis and provide opportunities for students to play and maybe compete against other real tennis playing universities.

“Trevor was described to me as a force of nature, and this is so true, our man on the inside; give this young man a project and you can expect a swift result and more. We are delighted to engage with St Mary's and although Trevor is only with us for a few months, we hope to build on his great work and further establish a strong working partnership between St Mary's and the Royal Tennis Court.”

Real Tennis is the original form of tennis, played in an indoor court. The court in Hampton Court has been on the site since 1625.