NEITHER Lleyton Hewitt nor Bernard Tomic was alive the last time an Australian won the Australian Open. Both players ended any hope an Australian would follow Mark Edmondson's 1976 Open victory against countryman John Newcombe at tomorrow's men's finals when they were knocked out earlier this week.
But disappointed fans can take heart. Where real tennis is concerned, Australians dominate.
Tennis originated from real tennis a game first played by French clergymen in the Middle Ages with balls made from monks' robes. Today the sport a cross between squash, chess and tennis is played on 47 courts in Britain, the US, France and Australia, modelled on the monastery cloisters where they were first played.
The sport has often been restricted to a select few. French King Louis IV tried to ban commoners from playing and it declined during the French Revolution. Later players included English kings Henry VIII and Charles I and II.
The game's best players have been Australian for the past 25 years. Former tennis pro Tasmanian Rob Fahey who has won 11 real tennis Australian opens has been the world champion since 1994, when he beat fellow Aussie Wayne Davies.
"Rob is a really strong athletic guy, like a running footballer . . . He can catch balls on his racquet behind his head," the president of Australia's largest real tennis club the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club Owen Guest, said.
The best real tennis players retain their titles until defeated at world championships, held every two years. Fahey has defended his title a record nine times.
At 44, he is well past the typical retirement age of his tennis counterparts. But age can often be an advantage in real tennis, Mr Guest said. Older players are better at strategic thinking.
"An experienced person knows if it's going to end up [at the top] so they don't have to move very far. They can assess all that, they're not running around like they were hopping kangaroos," he said.
But age has also dogged the low-profile sport, with the club's 600 members about 50 years old on average and about 80 per cent male. "There is a huge will at the club level to see the game grow [to include younger players and women] within more clubs in Melbourne," Mr Guest said.
The club's youngest member, C. J. White, 21, appeared out of place amid his silver-haired contemporaries.
A real tennis pro and former squash player, Mr White said: "It's not as single-dimensioned as squash, there's just so much more going on and it's a lot harder. It's totally different to any other sport I've ever played. I still play squash, but if you wanted to make one a profession, this is it."
Like many professional players, he makes his living working at the club.
The sport also suffers a logistical problem, with courts traditionally built with little room for spectators. Few courts in the world have glass walls, and despite the club's plans to build two new courts in the next eight years, progress has been slow.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What is real tennis and how does real tennis differ from modern lawn tennis?
Real tennis is the medieval form of the game first played by French clergymen; it's often described as a cross between squash, chess and tennis. Unlike modern lawn tennis, real tennis is played on specially shaped indoor courts with unique walls and rules that make strategy and court craft as important as speed.
Where is real tennis played and how many real tennis courts exist worldwide?
There are about 47 real tennis courts worldwide, mainly located in Britain, the United States, France and Australia. The courts are rare and traditionally built with little room for spectators, which limits where the sport can be staged.
Who is Rob Fahey and what are his major real tennis achievements?
Rob Fahey, a Tasmanian, has dominated real tennis for decades: he has won 11 Australian Opens in real tennis, became world champion in 1994 by beating fellow Australian Wayne Davies, and has defended his world title a record nine times.
How often are real tennis world championships held and how are titles defended?
Real tennis world championships are held every two years. The sport’s best players retain their titles until they are defeated at these world championships.
Why do older players often perform well in real tennis?
Age can be an advantage in real tennis because the game rewards strategic thinking and court sense. Experienced players can anticipate where the ball will finish and move less, using tactical judgment rather than pure athleticism.
What are the typical demographics of real tennis clubs and are there efforts to attract younger players and women?
Many real tennis clubs have older memberships — for example one club has around 600 members with an average age of about 50 and roughly 80% male. Club leaders say there is a strong will to grow the game to include younger players and more women within Melbourne and other clubs.
What logistical and spectator challenges does real tennis face, and are there plans to build more courts?
Most real tennis courts were built with little room for spectators and few have modern glass walls, making it hard to host large audiences. Some clubs plan to add courts — for example, there are plans to build two new courts over the next eight years — but progress on new construction has been slow.
How do professional real tennis players typically make a living?
Many professional real tennis players earn a living by working at clubs. For instance, younger pros often combine playing with coaching or club roles rather than relying solely on prize money.
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