Interview with Real Tennis World Champion Claire Fahey
Real Tennis : Womens World Champion Claire Fahey rolls back the years with her isolated memories in this exclusive interview.
Claire Fahey has been the women’s World Champion of Real Tennis since 2011 and has over 30 open titles in singles and doubles. Quite simply put, she is the greatest woman to have played the game, and she isn’t done yet.
First Car?
VW Golf, although at 17 years old if people asked me what car I had, I'd respond with 'Silver'.🤷♀️
First-ever Job?
I was lucky enough to get an apprentice position at Lords at 18 years old. I was there for 18 months, had the best time ever. Living in London for the first time, being 18 years old and getting to play tennis for a job, it was a dream.
Can you remember your first ever big purchase?
We moved out of London when we had our first little one and bought a family house in Colchester.
It was a big change from our Chiswick apartment but just a new chapter of life starting.
First memory of your sport?
I was 11 years old when I started playing Real Tennis.
My first memory is being on court with the then-head professional (and my first coach), Ivan Ronaldson.
I remember sharing the first few lessons with my twin sister, which were typically full of bickering between us. Let’s just say that after that, we stuck to solo lessons!
First day on the job in sport?
See above!
Favourite memory of your life in sport?
In 2012 I played Julian Snow (who was arguably the best amateur in the world at that time) in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ challenge match.
I won the World Championship title the year before and was starting to make ground in the ‘men’s’ game.
I was a young Champion with still a lot to prove. It was a huge match (and all funds raised went to Junior Tennis in Australia). It was a sell-out. We had a packed crowd hoping I could beat Julian in a best of 3 set match, off handicap.
I lost the first set 6/3 but had my chances, just didn’t execute well enough when given the opportunity.
I was 5/4 down in the 2nd set, faced match point and saved the set. I won the second set 6/5 with a backhand volley to the base of the tambour and the ball just rolled.
The crowd erupted. The buzz was something I will never forget. The atmosphere carried me through the 3rd set, barely putting a foot wrong, I won the third set 6/0. One of the best memories of my career.
A Real Tennis court
Did you ever contemplate doing something different?
Never. From about the age of 14 I set my sights on becoming World Champion and becoming a professional Real Tennis player.
I've had an amazing experience and brilliant career, but at 28 and with 2 little ones running around, I'm looking forward to my new job role as Head of Racquets at Oratory School in September 2020.
The Real Tennis court at The Oratory School
If you had to work in another sport what would it be?
I'm very excited to be starting at the Oratory.
Although I will be keenly promoting Real Tennis (as they are lucky enough to have their own court!) I am looking forward to getting involved in school life and promoting all sports for students.
Sport has such an impact on my life and I look forward to hopefully giving the same to others.
Sporting Hero?
Rafa Nadal.. such a phenomenal athlete and competitor.
Win or lose, I love watching him compete.
Isolation tip?
Embrace the change of pace. Many of us are navigating a whole new world.
As each week goes on, I am getting more and more used to our 'new normal'.
No longer are the days dictated by times, court practice, gym sessions. Embrace it. It's a time to reflect, recover and get ready to come out the other side ready to GO!
Find out more about Real Tennis
*Lead photo courtesy of the T&RA and Tim Edwards
