Robert Jamieson, head coach at The Pines Tennis Club in Chisholm, will play tennis for 24 hours from 4pm on Friday.

Accompanying him will be 17-year-old Max de Somer.

More than 120 participants will play the pair in doubles, with each opposing team paying for only one hour each.

But Robert and Max will be staying on the court until 4pm on Saturday.

The 24-hour challenge is to raise money for Ronald McDonald House in Canberra, which is located on level two at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children.

Robert says eating the right food - for him pasta and chicken - will get him through the 24 hours. And last year he did indulge in a Red Bull in the dying hours.

The middle of the night is not the toughest time - that comes right about dawn.

"When the sun comes up and it gets hot again, it really hits you that you've been up all night," he said.

And he doesn't have to try to hard to find the motivation to keep hitting the balls over the net.

"You think of the kids in hospital and 24 hours of tennis is nothing compared to what they're doing day in and day out," he said.

Ronald McDonald House Canberra provides accommodation for families who live more than 100kms away and whose child is undergoing treatment at the Canberra Hospital.

A carnival will start at the club at 1.30pm on Saturday to introduce people to latest tennis programs as well as host a barbecue, DJ, jumping castle and appearance by Ronald McDonald.

"Tennis is a great game that you can basically play from three or four until senior level. As long as you can move, you can play tennis," Robert said.

For more details go to www.csot.com.au

The Pines Tennis Club is at the corner of Goldstein Crescent and Norriss Street in Chisholm, with the entrance on Norriss Street.