The thing is, my parents weren't in the least 'posh'. They didn't grunt every time they hit the ball, or chuck their rackets on the ground, or bellow, "You can not be serious!" etc.

They played in several teams when I was a child, and were really very good. But it was a sport not a status symbol (just after the War). No strawberries and cream, no designer outfits, just cheap Dunlop plimsolls and whatever white clothes they could muster.

My father also played in a Norfolk badminton team in his seventies, and it kept him busy after my mother died.

I was a swimmer, horse-rider and ice-skater, and played hockey for my school. But tennis - nah.