Where is it played?:
Sticke is played today only in England and India.
Who can excel at it?:
With only three courts extant in the world, extensive competitive play is probably not the main goal of sticke players; enjoyment of sporting heritage is more likely the goal.
How fast does the ball move?:
With this sport, it's more interesting to consider where the ball travels (along the penthouse, etc.) rather than how fast it travels.
How big is the court?:
A sticke tennis court is basically a 78 foot by 27 foot rectangle, bisected by a net in the middle, and surrounded by walls. The wall along one side features a penthouse roof, onto which balls must be served in order to begin each point.
Is it an Olympic sport?:
No, sticke tennis is not an Olympic sport.
Who are some all-time great players?:
William Grenfell, also known as Lord Desborough, was a dedicated sticke tennis player. A good list of capable players, many from an affluent group of British aristocrats known as the Souls, is included in the excellent book by Graham Tomkinson, called Sticke Tennis: The Development of Sticke Tennis.
How long does it take to learn?:
With sticke's similarity to lawn tennis, the only impediment to learning is the difficulty in gaining access to a court. It should not take long to learn the game if you can get onto a court.
How easy is it to start?:
It is not very easy to get playing time on one of the three courts in the world.
How much does it cost to begin?:
Cost for beginning is not the issue for this sport. Unless you live close to one of the courts, whatever costs you incur would be those for a one-time experience.
How many players and courts are there?:
There are two courts in England and an estimated sixty players there. There is an additional court in India, in a place called Shimla.