Fahey rolls back years to claim US singles crown

ORATORY School real tennis professional Rob Fahey etched yet another chapter into his storied history on Sunday, claiming the US Pro Singles title at the National Tennis Club in Rhode Island, an astonishing 16 years after his last triumph at the event and 21 years since he first lifted the trophy.

The 13-time world champion, who has been semi-retired in recent years, turned back the clock with a performance which echoed the dominance of his prime to secure his ninth US Pro Singles championship and his first significant win since the Champions Trophy in 2022.

Fahey, now aged 57, stunned the field with a vintage performance, defeating world number four Ben Taylor-Matthews in straight sets (6-2, 6-0, 6-5) as the icon added another remarkable chapter to a legendary career which makes him the greatest player in the history of the game.

Yet Fahey’s route to the title was anything but easy — less than 24 hours before the final he faced and defeated second seed Nicky Howell in a gruelling semi-final.

Yet, with minimal recovery time, the champion emerged in peak form, starting the final with commanding intent, his trademark cut volley forcing left Taylor-Matthews struggling to find answers as the veteran secured the opening set.

The second followed a similar pattern with Fahey’s quality of serving and return too much for his opponent before the match came alive in the third.

With signs of fatigue beginning to show, the eventual victor was pushed to the limit by a resurgent Taylor-Matthews before two innovative Fahey winners completed a stunning success.

Speaking after his win, Fahey said: “A huge congratulations to Ben who played an unbelievable semi-final, I feel the luckiest man in the world to take the trophy.”

Following his wife Claire’s — head of racquets at The Oratory — recent eighth world championship win, the school is currently hosting some of the top players from around the globe as the Moore Family Office Summer Challenge starts.

The pair are also overseeing the exciting development of padel tennis at the school with four courts due to open later this year.