In a breathtaking display of power and precision, rackets player Robbie Temple propelled a ball at a staggering 161 miles per hour during a special exhibition at London's prestigious Queen's Club. Despite the ferocious speed, which is nearly six times quicker than Usain Bolt's top sprinting velocity, the effort fell agonisingly short of breaking his own world record.
A Night of Near-Misses at Queen's
The event, held on a December evening with the club's facade glittering with golden Christmas lights, was billed as a potential slice of sporting history. The aim was to officially set a new record for the fastest ball ever struck in the obscure but fiercely competitive sport of rackets. A hushed, suit-and-champagne-clad crowd watched on, emitting a collective groan of exasperation as Temple's best effort landed eight miles per hour shy of the 169mph mark he had set in a practice session just days before.
The atmosphere was one of intense concentration. During the attempts, barely a breath could be heard in the indoor court. The danger of the sport was underlined when one ball pinged off the wall and flew 20 metres back into the spectators, with one attendee only just ducking in time to avoid a serious injury.
The Elite Contenders and Their Attempts
Temple was not alone in his quest. He was joined by three other experts from racket sports disciplines. Richard Owen, a reigning world champion in rackets, managed a highly respectable 154mph—a speed comparable to a Boeing 737 at lift-off. Bryn Sayers, the world number seven in real tennis, reached 131mph. Former Davis Cup player Lee Childs also took part, though his efforts did not threaten the top speeds.
The high-tech speed measurement was overseen by Yohan Cassirame, who was specially drafted in from the Roland Garros tennis complex in Paris to ensure accuracy. His equipment captured every thudding impact with precise detail, confirming Temple's 161mph as the night's best, but not the best ever.
The Scary, Exhausting Allure of Rackets
For the uninitiated, rackets is a high-octane, physically and mentally draining sport that originated in 18th-century prisons as a forerunner to squash. Participants and observers describe it as both "scary" and "exhausting" due to the incredible velocity of the ball. Despite its niche status, its devotees are passionately committed.
The sport remains exceptionally exclusive. It is reported that there are only 14 dedicated, active rackets courts in the entire United Kingdom, with the cost of building a new one soaring to an estimated £1.5 million. This makes access to the game incredibly rare.
While the world record remained intact on this occasion, the gallery was thoroughly entertained by the sheer spectacle of power on display. For those seeking a new sporting challenge, rackets offers a uniquely demanding and historic test of skill, if you can find a court.
