In a clash that blended history, precision, and pure dominance, Claire Fahey cemented her legacy Friday in Newport by defeating Lea Van Der Zwalmen to win her record-tying eighth consecutive Ladies Real Tennis World Championship.
It was a final loaded with significance: the first-ever best-of-five set match in the history of women’s real tennis, and a shot at history for both athletes. Fahey was chasing her eighth straight crown, which places her alongside the legendary Pierre Etchebaster as the second most decorated player in real tennis history—behind only her husband, Robert Fahey. Van Der Zwalmen, meanwhile, was attempting to become the first athlete to simultaneously hold the world singles titles in both rackets and real tennis.
The early going was all tactics, no theatrics. Both players worked the angles, probing for weaknesses, but it was Fahey who seized momentum. After edging ahead 2–0, she shifted gears, attacking Van Der Zwalmen’s forehand with purpose and taking the opening set in a flawless 6–0 sweep.
Van Der Zwalmen found brief footing in the second, winning the opening game and changing pace with heavy spin and cut. But Fahey stayed composed, weathering the pressure and dialing in. Her confidence surged again as she rattled off six straight games to close the second set.
The third saw Van Der Zwalmen swing harder and take more risks, landing a few spectacular winners—but also too many errors. Fahey’s composure and tactical superiority proved unshakeable. At championship point, with a better-than-a-yard chase on the scoreboard, Van Der Zwalmen’s return clipped the line. Fahey let her racket fall and raised her arms skyward, champion once again.
“It feels very surreal,” Fahey said courtside. “You try not to think about this moment, but it means everything to me.”
And to the sport, too.