Tennis: Jamie faces world champion in real challenge

May 23 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

A GOSFORTH student new to the nearly 300-year-old sport of real tennis faces the biggest challenge of his sporting career when he takes on world champion Rob Fahey in Jesmond Dene tonight.

Australian Fahey, widely credited as the best and most athletic player ever to pick up a real tennis racket, takes on the North East’s Jamie Douglas in a hotly-anticipated exhibition match.

Newcastle Grammar School-educated Douglas, originally a talented squash player, has risen to become the UK amateur champion after just a few years playing the sport. But, according to Real Tennis North East spokesman John Duns, this is the biggest challenge of his time in the game.

Famous for his athleticism and dynamism, Fahey retained his world title in 2008 by defeating American challenger Camden Riviere in France.

“Rob is probably the best player of all time and it is a rare opportunity to see him in the flesh. It will be a terrific chance for Jamie to prove how far he has come,” Mr Duns said.

“Real tennis is an old game but it can be quite spectacular to see it in real life.”

The match will be played at the Jesmond Dene Real Tennis Club in Matthew Bank at 6pm tonight and tickets are still available. Mr Duns said it was a “coup” for the area, which has seen a rise in the popularity of the game.

“Although the game itself is cheap and accessible, courts are expensive to build and most of them are in the south. We have one of 25 in the country and it is fantastic we have a player like Rob coming to us.”

Real tennis lays claim to being the oldest continually played sport in the world, having been first played in 1740 – and its popularity is growing.

“We are very excited about this match,” said Alan Douglas, chairman of the Jesmond Dene Real Tennis Club.

"Real tennis is a minority sport but it is growing fast and many people are attracted to it because of its variety, spectacular shots and exciting rallies.”

Limited tickets, at £12, for the match are still available. Call Paul Hetherington on (0191) 281 6854 or go to www.jdrtc.co.uk.