Nick Howell (aka Nicky Howell) is an Australian Real Tennis player who was born in Bordeaux but grew up in England. A lifelong lover of sports, he attended the Oratory School on a full sports scholarship for rugby and cricket. His primary interest became golf, and at the age of 18, he turned professional, spending seven years playing on tours such as the Jamega Tour, Euro Pro Tour and Australasian Tour.

At the age of 25, Howell craved a new challenge and decided to switch his attention from golf to Real Tennis (which he had played while growing up). He took an opportunity to become a trainee Real Tennis professional at the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club in 2012, where he quickly reached a world ranking of #11 with a handicap of +2.

In March 2015 Howell moved to the National Tennis Club in Newport, Rhode Island, to become a touring professional. He also had a short stint as Acting Head Professional at the club when the Head pro left shortly after Howell’s arrival.

At the end of 2020 Howell accepted a role as the Head professional of the new Real Tennis court in Bordeaux.

PLAYER STATS

Birthday: September 10, 1986

Nickname: Nicky

L/R Handed: Right

TOURNAMENT AND MATCH HIGHLIGHTS*

Just as Howell was seriously getting his training underway, he had a health scare that landed him in the hospital in 2016. Fortunately he was able to recover and, with the help of regular doctor checkups and a fitness coach named Michael Cecchi, he regained his fitness level and entered the French Open. He reached the Semi-Final stage of the tournament, beating world #4 Ben Taylor-Matthews and narrowly losing to Rob Fahey 6/5 in the 4th set.

Howell then went on to beat World #4 again, the world #5 in straight sets at the 2017 US Open, and beat beat the greatest of all time – Rob Fahey – 6/2 6/2 6/2 in the 2017 Champions Trophy quarter final, losing to World #1 Camden Riviere.

At the start of 2019 Howell made the Final of the World Doubles Championship and his first Singles Final at the Australian Open. He ended 2019 by qualifying for the World Championship eliminators for the first time in his career.

In February 2020 Howell made his second major singles final of his career, reaching the US Open Singles Final. In 2022, he reached the Singles Semi-Final stage of the British Open, ultimately losing to Camden Riviere. He also made the Doubles Semi-Final stage with partner Rob Fahey, but the duo lost to Tim Chisholm and Bryn Sayers.

In 2023, Howell made it to all four doubles Open finals and won the Australian Open with Chris Chapman. He was once again eligible to challenge for the 2023 Real Tennis World Championship, this time as second seed following the retirement of Robert Fahey. Howell won in the First Round Eliminator against Ben Taylor-Matthews but eventually lost to John Lumley in the Final Eliminator. Later in 2023, Howell won his first Open title at the French Open, defeating Steve Virgona in the final.

In 2024, Howell reached the Australian Open final for the third consecutive year, and won the Champions Trophy at the Royal Tennis Court, defeating Ben Taylor-Matthews in the final.

*As of 2024

FUN FACTS

• Howell’s father is English and his mother is Australian.

• Howell’s father, Jonathan, is a Real Tennis professional and a former world #4 and his brother, Benny, is a cricket professional for Gloucestershire CCC.

T&RA INTERVIEW ANSWERS

When and how did you get involved in Real Tennis?

“I grew up with the game, as my dad is a professional.”

Why do you love Real Tennis?

“I enjoy the close-knit community Real Tennis brings and the history of the sport. And it’s a lot of fun to play!”

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

“Elon Musk, because if he enjoys playing, he could build us some very cool, innovative Real Tennis courts.”