Robert Fahey
Robert Leo Fahey (born 30 April 1968, in Hobart, Tasmania – nickname "Bag") is an Australian real tennis player.
On 27 April 2006, at the Oratory Tennis Club in Woodcote, South Oxfordshire, he matched the great Pierre Etchebaster's feat of seven consecutive defenses of the real tennis singles World Championship, which he has held since 1994. The defence was against Tim Chisholm in the latter's third consecutive challenge. In May 2008 he again successfully defended his title, and thus broke Etchebaster's record, against US pro Camden Riviere on the historic court at Fontainebleau Palace, France, winning 7 sets to 5 (6/1 3/6 5/6 6/4, 6/2 6/3 5/6 6/0, 6/1 2/6 1/6 6/5). In May 2010 he retained his title for a record ninth time, defeating Steve Virgona 7 sets to 2.[1] In April 2012 he retained his title for the 10th consecutive time, again defeating Steve Virgona 7 sets to 3 (6/5 3/6 6/1 6/3 6/4 6/3 3/6 5/6 6/2 6/3).[2]
In 2000 and 2001 he won back-to-back Grand Slams, and a third in 2008. In 2003 (Hobart), partnered with Steve Virgona, he won the World Doubles Championship; the pair successfully defended the title in 2005 (Fontainebleau), 2007 (Boston), 2009 (Seacourt - Hayling Island) and 2011 (RMTC - Melbourne).
A portrait of Fahey by Rupert Alexander was shortlisted for the BP Portrait Award 2012. [3]
Singles titles
- World Champion: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 (since 1996 played on even years only)
- Australian Open: 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008
- British Open: 1995, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- French Open: 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- U.S. Open: 1993, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
- IRTPA Championships (formerly UK Professional): 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009
- U.S. Professional / Schochet Cup: 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
- European Open: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011
References
- ^ Richard Allen. "A Great Champion". Retrieved 2010-05-19.
- ^ "Rob Fahey wins his 11th World Championship Title". Retrieved 2012-06-25.
- ^ "BP Portrait Award 2012". National Portrait Gallery.
