JEU DE PAUME BAYONNE PAYS BASQUE
Euskal Real Tennis
JEU DE PAUME
BAYONNE - PAYS BASQUE
Euskal Real Tennis
Did you know ?!
The oldest world sports championship is . . . real-tennis. The frenchman, Clergé l’Ancien, was the first champion of this old and noble sport and he held his title from 1740 to 1765.
These days, real-tennis is played essentially in 4 countries : the USA, Great Britain, Australia and France. The professional players are represented by the IRTA (International Real Tennis Professionals Association. (IRTPA-IRTPA)
In Great Britain, this sport was introduced by the Duke of Orléans who was captured at the battle of Agincourt in 1415 and held captive for 20 years in Norfolk’s Wingfield château where he played real-tennis every day. But perhaps this is just a legend because from as early as the 13C, there is mention of a game played with the bare hand.
Over the centuries, the number of indoor courts multiplied in castles, inns, etc., and then developed in multi-sport centers such as Prested Hall or private schools and universities (Radley and Wellington). Currently, there are 28 real-tennis indoor courts in activity in Great Britain. The only outside open-air courts now in play are the famous court at Falkland Palace in Scotland and the lesser known court on Lambey Island in Ireland.
(https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/falkland-palace)
The game is managed by the Tennis and Rackets Association (T&RA). For the ladies who play this game, the tournaments are organised by the LRTA (Ladies Real Tennis Association). LRTA).
In the United States, real tennis is played by a small circle of about 1000 players united under the banner of the "United States Court Tennis Association (USCTA- USCTA). 9 courts are located on the East coast and 2 in the mid west part of the country.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Jay Gould ( world champion from 1906 to 1926) was well known for the accuracy of his chases at less than 1m from the dedans wall and his mastering of the "railroad" service.
In Australia,real-tennis arrived in 1875 (courts were created in Hobart in Tasmania) and the game became a passion with local players. Many competitions were played throughout the year and were managed by the Australian Real Tennis Association (ARTA – ARTA).
Australia produced a number of champions, the first being Judith Clarke in 1984. Wayne Davies and Robert Fahey have set the bar very high at the international level by holding the world champion title from 1987 to 1994 for Wayne Davies and 1994-2014, 2018-2022 for Robert Fahey.
In the Netherlands, it is following a trip to the court of Hayling, that a group of Dutch players launched the DRTA in 1986.
Since then, they have been organizing their national championship, first on the court of Hayling, then for some 15 years at the Oratory and then at Radley College. Since 2012, the Dutch team regularly takes part in international tournaments, their team reaching the Boomerang semi-final and winning the 3 tripots.
Two of the players, De Bondt and Bollerman have won the handicap double at la Bastide Clairence in 2012, whilst Lucie Douwes Dekker and Kim Van Boeckel have won the Ladies handicap in Paris. Saskia Bollerman is amongst the five best players in the world. Some 35 players now play with very good to excellent handicaps.
More information on their news on their web site : www.nrtb.nl (www.nrtb.nl )
In Ireland , l’IRTA (IRTA ) was created in October 1998, following the project of transforming the real tennis court of Earlsfort Terrace, in Dublin, into a concert hall. Their objective is to return the court to its original destination.
Since 2003, an annual Irish championship and friendly competitions are organized in Great-Britain, as there are no courts in Ireland.
The holders of world championship Titles :
The world championships are held every 2 years.
Claire Fahey
Claire Fahey, British with a handicap of 6,6, started on the international circuit in 2010. Claire has 43 victories to her credit, including 8 times the world champion title in singles and 8 times in doubles (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024).
She is the only woman with a handicap under 10.
In 2014, after changes to the rules taking into account her handicap and not her gender, she participated in the men's competitions, she qualified for the semi-finals in the 2020 US Open.
Camden Rivière
Camden Rivière, American with a handicap of 16, began his international career in 2008.
Current world champion, it was in 2022 that he managed to de-throne the 9-time reigning world champion Robert Fahey. To date, he has 28 victories to his credit.
Camden Rivière, American with a handicap of 16, began his international career in 2008.
Current world champion, it was in 2022 that he managed to de-throne the 9-time reigning world champion Robert Fahey. To date, he has 28 victories to his credit.
Exceptional Players :
Penny Lumley
Considered to be the most important player in the history of this sport, winning between 1989 and 2003, six of the eight world singles titles and seven doubles titles.
She was also British champion 12 times between 1989 and 2004, including 8 times in a row from 1995 to 2002.
Rob Fahey
Robert Fahey, Australian, known by the nickname « the Champ », handicap 9.2, started his international career in 2008. He was world champion from 1994 to 2022 – a performance that is unequalled to this day.
He has won 50 titles, thus dominating the international scene for more than 16 years.
Connu comme le « Champ », l’Australien – handicap 9,20 – commence sa carrière internationale en 2008.
Il a été champion du monde de 1994 à 2016 et 2018 à 2022 – une performance inégalée à ce jour.
He has won 50 titles, thus dominating the international scene for more than 16 years.
Wayne Davies
Wayne Davies, Australian, world champion from 1987 to 1994, is a passionate player.
He continues to share his love for this sport by supporting the Club de Navarre in Pau in which he officiates as Master Paumier and through his book in which he shares the secrets of his game: Wayne Davies on Real Tennis. (Link to Book).
