An Invitation to Budapest: Connecting Through Tennis with Budapest Racquet Society
Last Saturday, Bisque had the absolute pleasure of joining the Budapest Racquet Society (BRS) for one of their community tennis sessions, and it turned into a day we’ll never forget.
We set off from Stansted in the early hours, catching a morning flight to Budapest. After landing, we made a quick pit stop for coffee near Millenáris Park, and soon arrived at the courts, three beautifully maintained clay courts nestled in a peaceful green space in the heart of the city.
From the moment we arrived, Réka, Marcell and Dorina the co-founders of BRS, welcomed us with open arms. Their warmth and enthusiasm instantly made us feel like part of the family. There’s something incredibly special about being greeted by people who share the same passion, and BRS felt like a mirror of our own values at Bisque: openness, inclusivity, and the belief that sport can be a bridge between people.
The session began with a short intro from Marcell and some words from Alejandro. We then eased into warm-up drills before moving into more focused hitting and match play. On a warm and sunny Budapest morning, we found ourselves surrounded by friendly faces, good energy, and even cold lemonade and apples between sets. These small but thoughtful touches made the experience feel even more community-driven.
What struck us most wasn’t just the high quality of play or the smooth structure of the session, but the effortless social atmosphere. People mingled, cheered each other on, and switched partners without hesitation. It reminded us that tennis isn’t just a sport, it’s a social connector. Even though many of us came from different countries, backgrounds, and languages, the game itself was a common language. The court became a space where connection happened naturally through a shared rally, a laugh after a miss hit, or a quick chat over water breaks.
It was particularly inspiring to hear stories from the BRS community about how many of them found tennis through the group itself. For some, it was their first time playing since childhood. For others, it became a way to stay active and social in a new city. We asked about court accessibility, the tennis culture in Budapest, and life in the city, and we left with a much deeper appreciation for how grassroots communities like BRS are quietly changing the narrative around tennis. They’re making it more welcoming, more inclusive, and more human.
Later in the session, we joined in with “around the world” and mixed in for a few competitive rallies. As always, the games brought out the fun side of everyone - a little competitive spirit, a lot of laughter, and moments of joy that can’t be planned, only experienced.
One of the highlights was having the day beautifully captured by Máté, Réka’s brother, who recently returned from travelling in South America and has reignited his passion for photography. His candid shots perfectly reflected the energy and spirit of the day - warm, connected, joyful. Capturing the full experience isn’t always easy, you really have to be there but Máté managed to capture the entire event flawlessly.
We were thrilled to have Flo Dawson, a fellow Bisque member, join us for the session and it was her first time in Budapest, too! Since attending her first Bisque session last year, it’s been incredible to watch her tennis skills grow. Flo originally joined us after moving to London from Bath, looking not only to get back into tennis, having previously played at county level but also to meet new friends in the city. Stories like hers are a great reminder of the strength of this community and the meaningful connections it helps create. As we wrapped up and said our goodbyes, we couldn’t help but reflect on what tennis continues to offer beyond the game: new friendships, new places, and new perspectives. From a few DMs and shared stories on social media to playing side by side three beautiful clay court in Budapest, it’s incredible how this sport continues to create meaningful, real world connections. We’re so grateful to Réka, Marcell, Matias, and everyone at the Budapest Racquet Society for welcoming us so generously. We left with full hearts, a few new Hungarian words, and a renewed sense of why we love the game so much. Until next time, whether in London, Budapest, or beyond, we’ll keep building the community, one rally at a time. With love, Team Bisque
