British Open (real tennis)

Last updated
British Open
Tennisball current event.svg 2024 British Open (real tennis)
Tournament information
Event nameBritish Open
Founded1931;93 years ago (1931)
Editions44
Location London (men)
Hayling Island (women)
United Kingdom
Venue Queen's Club (men)
Seacourt Tennis Club (women)
Category IRTPA (men)
None (women)
Draw24S / 12D (men)
Variable (women)
Current champions (2023)
Men's singles Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere
Women's singles Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Claire Fahey
Men's doubles Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere / Flag of the United States.svg Tim Chisholm
Women's doubles Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Claire Fahey / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sarah Vigrass

The British Open is a real tennis tournament, with the men's draw held annually at Queen's Club in London, England, and the women's draw held at the Seacourt Tennis Club on Hayling Island. The men's event is a national Open carrying ranking points for the Real Tennis World Championship. [1] The women's event does not carry any ranking points.

Contents

History

Challenge era

The men's event was established in 1931 as the Prince's Club shield, and was originally a challenge format with Edgar Baerlein defeating Marylebone Cricket Club professional William Groom in the inaugural edition 3 sets to 2. A second challenge was held later the same year, with E Ratcliff defeating Moreton Morrell professional Ted Johnson in the same year. The event changed to a best of 13 format in 1932 with Groom defeating Ratcliff, but losing to amateur champion Lowther Lees in 1934. [2] Lees would hold the title until 1938 where he was defeated by Queen's Club profesional Jim Dear. No challenges would be held during World War II, with Dear resigning his title in 1952. [3] The title was picked up by rackets professional Ronald Hughes, who held it until 1967, when he retired during the challenge against Frank Willis.

Willis would battle the title against amateur Howard Angus five times during the 1970s, with Angus becoming champion in 1970. An annual doubles Open championship was first contested in 1971, first won by Ronald Hughes and Norwood Cripps. Cripps would win eleven of the first thirteen doubles championships, partnered with Hughes, Charles Swallow and Alan Lovell. In the singles, Angus won the Real Tennis World Championship in 1976, uniting the British Open and World Championships for the first time. In 1979, he was challenged for both titles by professional Chris Ronaldson, to be held at the Royal Tennis Court, Hampton Court. [4] Ronaldson won both titles, defeating Angus 70, and thereafter relinquished the British Open title, allowing it to become an annual event at Queen's Club. [5]

Open era

With the tournament now held annually, the 1980s were dominated by Chris Ronaldson winning six times between 1980 and 1985. In 1984, Ronaldson became the first player to win all four Opens in the same year - a calendar year grand slam. [6] The era saw a rise in the number of Australian professionals travelling to participate, with Graham Hyland, Lauchlan Deuchar and Wayne Davies competiting against Ronaldson in various finals, Davies taking the match to a fifth set on three occasions and Hyland once. Ronaldson's hold on the Championship was broken by Deuchar in 1986, who would go on to win a further five consecutive titles until 1991. Deuchar's dominance prevented Davies from completing a calendar year grand slam in 1988, the latter having held the three other titles that year. Davies and Deuchar won the doubles together on eight occasions, undefeated at the Open between 1984 and 1992. [7]

A changing of the guard occurred in the early 1990s, with British amateur Julian Snow winning three titles between 1992 and 1994. The tournament saw the early rise of Robert Fahey, retiring from the 1993 final against Snow and thus failing to complete a calendar year grand slam. [8] Fahey won his first title in 1995, but his dominance started in 2000. Fahey won eleven singles titles between 2000 and 2011, losing only the 2002 final to Tim Chisholm in five sets. He also won nine doubles titles between 2001 and 2012, missing out in 2004 and 2009. Fahey's grip on the Open title was broken by Bryn Sayers in 2012, though he would later win the 2018 as well. [9]

The 2010s saw the rise of Camden Riviere. Riviere had reached the final in 2008, but it wouldn't be until 2014 that he would win for the first time. Riviere would be undefeated at the British Open from 2014 onwards, though he was absent in 2018 and 2021. Riviere also has been undefeated in doubles since 2013, partnered with Tim Chisholm on four occasions and John Lumley on two occasions.

Past finals

Men's singles

YearChampionsRunners-upScore
Challenge era
1931 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Edgar Baerlein Flag of the United Kingdom.svg William Groom 6/2 1/6 4/6 6/5 6/1 [10]
1931 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E Ratfcliff Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ted Johnson 31
1932 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg William Groom Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E Ratcliff 71
1934 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lowther Lees Flag of the United Kingdom.svg William Groom 71
1934 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lowther Lees Flag of the United Kingdom.svg William Groom 72
1938 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Dear Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lowther Lees 51
1952 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ronald Hughes Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Henry Johns 53
1962 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ronald Hughes Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Warburg 51
1967 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Willis Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ronald Hughes 43 ret.
1968 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Willis Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Howard Angus 52
1970 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Howard Angus Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Willis 52
1972 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Howard Angus Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Willis 75
1975 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Howard Angus Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Willis 76
1976 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Howard Angus Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Willis 72
1979 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Howard Angus 70
Open era
1979 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Howard Angus Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson 30
1980 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Lovell 30
1981 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Davies 32
1982 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Hyland 32
1983 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar 30
1984 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Davies 32
1985 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Davies 32
1986 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson 31
1987 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Davies 32
1988 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson 30
1989 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson 30
1990 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian Snow 30
1991 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey 32
1992 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian Snow Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Bray 30
1993 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian Snow Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey 01 ret.
1994 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian Snow Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar 31
1995 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar 30
1996 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Gooding Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar 31
1997 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Bray Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey 30
1998 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian Snow Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona 32
1999 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Male Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Gooding 31
2000 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Bray 30
2001 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey Flag of the United States.svg Tim Chisholm 31
2002 Flag of the United States.svg Tim Chisholm Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey 32
2003 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruairiadh Gunn 30
2004 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruairiadh Gunn 30
2005 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruairiadh Gunn 30
2006 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona 30
2007 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona 31
2008 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere 31
2009 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona 31
2010 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona 31
2011 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bryn Sayers 32
2012 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bryn Sayers Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rob Fahey 31
2013 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bryn Sayers 32
2014 Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona 32
2015 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona Flag of the United States.svg Tim Chisholm 30
2016 Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Chapman 30
2017 Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bryn Sayers 30
2018 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Chapman 30
2019 Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey 30
2020Not held
2021 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Lumley Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Taylor-Matthews 31
2022 Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey 30
2023 Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Lumley 31
2024 Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nick Howell 31

Men's doubles

YearChampionsRunners-upScore
1971 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ronald Hughes / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norwood Cripps Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Howard Angus / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg N W Smith32
1972 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Willis / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ennis Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Swallow / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norwood Cripps 30
1973 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Swallow / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norwood Cripps Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Willis / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ennis 30
1974 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Swallow / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norwood Cripps Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Willis / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ennis 30
1975 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Swallow / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norwood Cripps Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Howard Angus / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Warburg 32
1976 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Willis / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Cull Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ennis / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mick Dean 31
1977 (April) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Lovell / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norwood Cripps Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Willis / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Cull 31
1977 (December) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Lovell / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norwood Cripps Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Willis / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Cull 30
1978 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Lovell / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norwood Cripps Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mick Dean 30
1979 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Lovell / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norwood Cripps Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mick Dean 30
1980 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Lovell / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norwood Cripps Flag of Australia (converted).svg Barry Toates / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Willis 30
1981 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mick Dean Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Davies / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lauchlaan Deuchar 32
1982 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Lovell / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norwood Cripps Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mick Dean 30
1983 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mick Dean Flag of Australia (converted).svg Colin Lumley / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar 31
1984 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Davies Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mick Dean 31
1985 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Davies Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mick Dean 30
1986 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Davies Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Ronaldson / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mick Dean 31
1987 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Davies Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norwood Cripps / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul Tabley 31
1988 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Davies Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jonathan Howell / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kevin Sheldon 30
1989 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Davies Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jonathan Howell / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kevin Sheldon 30
1990 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Davies Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Meares 30
1991 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Bray / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Gooding Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul Tabley 32
1992 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Davies Flag of Australia (converted).svg Frank Filippelli / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Male w/o
1993 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Bray / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Gooding Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian Snow / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick Wood 30
1994 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Bray / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Gooding Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Davies 30
1995 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Frank Filippelli Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Bray / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Gooding 32
1996 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Bray / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mike Happell Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Deuchar / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Gooding 32
1997 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Male / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian Snow Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Gooding 30
1998 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Male / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian Snow Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruaraidh Gunn / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona 30
1999 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruaraidh Gunn / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian Snow / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Male 31
2000 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Bray / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick Wood Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian Snow / Flag of the United States.svg Tim Chisholm 32
2001 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Bray / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Willcocks 30
2002 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian Snow / Flag of the United States.svg Tim Chisholm 31
2003 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruaraidh Gunn Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian Snow / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Adam Phillips 31
2004 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Gooding / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick Wood Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Bray / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Willcocks 30
2005 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruaraidh Gunn Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Woodman 30
2006 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruaraidh Gunn Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jon Dawes 30
2007 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruaraidh Gunn Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Willcocks 31
2008 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Male Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick Wood / Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere 31
2009 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick Wood Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruaraidh Gunn 30
2010 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona Flag of the United States.svg Tim Chisholm / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Conor Medlow 30
2011 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bryn Sayers / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kieran Booth 30
2012 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bryn Sayers / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kieran Booth 30
2013 Flag of the United States.svg Tim Chisholm / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bryn Sayers Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona 32
2014 Flag of the United States.svg Tim Chisholm / Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bryn Sayers 31
2015 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Chapman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bryn Sayers / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ricardo Smith 31
2016 Flag of the United States.svg Tim Chisholm / Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bryn Sayers / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ricardo Smith 31
2017 Flag of the United States.svg Tim Chisholm / Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nick Howell 31
2018 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nick Howell Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Chapman / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Virgona 30
2019 Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Lumley Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nick Howell 30
2020Not held
2021 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nick Howell Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bryn Sayers / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Taylor-Matthews 30
2022 Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Lumley Flag of the United States.svg Tim Chisholm / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bryn Sayers 31
2023 Flag of the United States.svg Tim Chisholm / Flag of the United States.svg Camden Riviere Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Fahey / Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nick Howell 30
2024 TBCTBC

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