Robert Fahey MBE awarded OAM June 2019
Robert Fahey received the OAM (Order of Australia Medal) in the 2019 Queens Birthday Honours List
For service to Real Tennis.
Previously reported
Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to Sport.
For 22 years Rob Fahey dominated the world stage, in all Tennis playing countries across the globe. He has proved to be a model World Champion and advocate for the sport. He is without question the most successful player in the history of Tennis, having defended his World Title more times than anybody else, including the great Pierre Etchebaster.
Rob is the charismatic and dynamic former World Champion, with enormous power and spectacular athleticism. In the World Challenge in May 2004 he equalled Pierre Etchebaster's record of six successful defences of the World Championship. In April 2006 Rob continued his dominance of the game by retaining the World Championship crown in defeating Tim Chisholm in two days of the challenge winning 7-0. In 2008 Rob defeated Camden Riviere 7-5 in Fontainebleau. In 2010 the Challenge was held in Melbourne where Rob defeated Steve Virgona 7-2 and in 2012 Rob at the Queen's Club retained his title by defeating Steve Virgona 7-3. Against expectation, he then recovered from an early deficit in 2014 to defeat Camden Riviere 7-3 in Melbourne; but he finally lost his crown 2-7 to the same opponent two years later in Newport; stepping down after 22 years at the pinnacle of the sport.
In September 2003 he also became the World Champion Doubles holder, partnered by Steve Virgona, winning in Hobart. In September 2005 he retained this title with Steve Virgona at Fontainebleau. In March 2007 Rob retained this title again partnered by Steve Virgona playing in Boston, a feat repeated in 2009 (Seacourt), 2011 (Melbourne) and 2013 (Paris). Steve and Rob were finally defeated by the combined might of Tim Chisholm and Camden Riviere in 2015 at Tuxedo; their twelve years of dominance is the longest ever period in World Doubles.
In April 2018, Rob Fahey came from behind to regain his World title against long term rival Camden Riviere.