Ben Taylor-Matthews is a British Real Tennis professional who works at the Bristol Real Tennis Club.

PLAYER STATS

Birthday: July 27, 1984

L/R Handed: Right

TOURNAMENT AND MATCH HIGHLIGHTS*

Taylor-Matthews’ career high ranking is world number 4. He won the US open Doubles in 2010, partnered with Steve Virgona. In 2012, he contested the World Championship eliminators, which accept only the top four players over a two-year period leading up to the challenge. He was defeated in the first round but became the first player ever to force a deciding match. At the end of the 2012 season, Taylor-Matthews moved to a role as Senior Professional at Hatfield House Real Tennis Club. His next major accomplishments were reaching the finals of the 2014 and 2016 Australian Opens, but he lost to Robert Fahey in straight sets on both occasions.

In 2018, Taylor-Matthews took up the Head Professional role at the Leamington Tennis Court Club. His next breakthrough was at the 2018 French Open, where he won the doubles competition with John Lumley, defeating Steve Virgona and Chris Chapman in the final in 5 sets.

Taylor-Matthews qualified to challenge for the 2020 Singles World Championship but lost to Chris Chapman. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he started a Real Tennis-themed podcast with fellow player Robert Shenkman called "A View From the Hazards". He moved to become head professional at Bristol Real Tennis Club in 2022, and that same year, he reached the final of the British Open for the first time, losing to John Lumley.

Taylor-Matthews would again qualify for the World Championship Eliminators in 2023 but didn't manage to move forward after losing to Nick Howell in the First Round Eliminator. However, 2023 did bring Taylor-Matthews success on the doubles court; he managed to win the French Open with Steve Virgona, as well as the final of the US Open.

2024 did not start as well for Taylor-Matthews, with a first round loss at the Australian Open to Australian amateur Keiran Booth. However, later in the year, he won his first Singles competition since the 2009 Category A Championship at the 2024 Jesmond Dene Cup. By the middle of the year, he had recovered his form enough to reach the 2024 Champions Trophy Final, but he lost to Nick Howell.

*As of 2024

T&RA INTERVIEW ANSWERS

When and how did you get involved in Real Tennis?

“As a trainee professional at Hyde, Bridport.”

Why do you love Real Tennis?

“It has given me the opportunity to be one of the best in the world at something – something that wouldn’t be the case if I hadn’t started playing.”

What is a fun fact about you?

“I’m a quality bread maker.”

Which famous person would you love to see play Real Tennis?

“Wreck It Ralph, because he’d have the second biggest hands in the game.”