Dominant Fahey wins eighth world championship in a row

Claire Fahey underlined her dominance of women’s real tennis last week when she won a record-extending eighth consecutive Ladies’ Real Tennis World Championship in emphatic fashion.

The head of racquets at The Oratory School defeated France’s Lea Van Der Zwalmen in straight sets in Newport, Rhode Island, becoming the first player to win under the tournament’s new best-of-five format.

The 33-year-old, who first captured the world title in 2011, continues to redefine excellence in a sport that blends tradition with athleticism. This latest triumph marks Fahey’s third consecutive final against Van Der Zwalmen, following victories at Fontainebleau Palace in 2022 and The Oratory in 2023.

The rivalry has become a familiar feature of the championship in recent years, but once again, Fahey proved untouchable on the global stage. From the outset, she took control of the match with characteristic poise and power. She took the first set 6-0, showcasing her tactical versatility, deft volleying, and precision under pressure.

Van Der Zwalmen, who had looked sharp in her elimination match to qualify for the final, struggled to find her rhythm and was quickly placed on the back foot by Fahey’s consistency and aggressive court positioning.

The second set followed a similar trajectory. Fahey maintained a high level of intensity, rarely giving her opponent space to dictate rallies. Van Der Zwalmen attempted to mount a fightback, forcing some longer exchanges, but Fahey remained unflinching, converting key points and capitalising on errors from the French challenger to close out the set 6-2.

In the third and final set, Van Der Zwalmen showed glimpses of the form that brought her to the final, pushing Fahey in several close games. However, the reigning champion’s composure and superior court craft proved decisive, as she sealed the final 6-0.

Speaking after the match, Fahey, who combines her training alongside her role at The Oratory School, said; “Every world championship means a lot, but this one is particularly special. The new format adds a different kind of challenge — physically and mentally — and I’m proud of how I adapted. Lea is a fantastic competitor, and I knew I had to be at my best.”

Fahey and Tara Lumley also secured the doubles title with a solid win over Van Der Zwalmen and Margaux Randjbar. The British pair won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3, showing consistency and control throughout the match. Their teamwork proved too strong for the French duo, rounding off a successful tournament for Fahey.

It was the third time the pair had partnered each other at the Ladies’ World Championship and their third victory together.

The 2025 final marked the first time the championship adopted a best-of-five format, introduced to better reflect the physical demands and evolving standards of the women’s game. The shift in structure was welcomed by many in the sport, including Fahey, who praised the move as “a great step forward for parity and professionalism”.

The Oratory is one of only four schools in the country to have a real tennis court. Often referred to as the original racquet sport, it is played on asymmetrical indoor courts with uniquely sloped surfaces and complex angles.