There has been a tennis court in Oxford since 1450 and one at the Merton Street site since c. 1494, according to one source.[2] Alternatively, according to another source,[3] Oxford has had a court since 1595 and one at this site when it was rebuilt in 1798.[1] The Merton Street court, being early, has somewhat non-standard dimensions, and in particular an unusually flat tambour (a buttress used as part of the court). [citation needed]
It is the smallest court in England and the second oldest.[4]