Champions Trophy (real tennis)

Champions Trophy
Tournament information
Event nameChampions Trophy
Founded2017 (2017)
Editions6
LocationLondon
United Kingdom
VenueRoyal Tennis Court, Hampton Court
CategoryIRTPA
Draw8S / 8Q
Websiteroyaltenniscourt.com
Current champions (2025)
SinglesUnited Kingdom John Lumley

The Champions Trophy is an annual real tennis tournament held at the Royal Tennis Court at Hampton Court Palace, London, England. It is a ranking point tournament for the purposes of qualifying for the Real Tennis World Championship.[1] The event is the only professional real tennis tournament to feature a repechage system for the top four seeds after the first round.[2]

The event was conceived as a season-end meeting of the top real tennis players in the world, bringing regular, high-quality tennis to oldest existing court in the world.[3] The inaugural event was won by incumbent World Champion Camden Riviere. Both Riviere and Robert Fahey have won the event on two occasions. Ben Taylor-Matthews has been a finalist on four occasions. In 2024, the event expanded from 4 qualifiers to 8 qualifiers, and reduced the match format from best-of-5 sets to best-of-3 sets.[4]

Past finals

Year Champions Runners-up Score
2017 United States Camden Riviere United Kingdom Ben Taylor-Matthews 6/2 6/1 6/0
2018 United States Camden Riviere Australia Chris Chapman 3/6 6/0 6/1 6/2
2019 Australia Robert Fahey United Kingdom John Lumley 6/2 6/4 6/4
2020–2021 Not held
2022 Australia Robert Fahey United Kingdom Ben Taylor-Matthews 6/2 4/6 6/2 6/3
2023 United Kingdom John Lumley United Kingdom Ben Taylor-Matthews 6/2 6/4 6/4
2024 Australia Nick Howell United Kingdom Ben Taylor-Matthews 3/6 6/2 6/4
2025 United Kingdom John Lumley Australia Nick Howell 6/2 6/0

References

  1. ^ "Tournaments with ranking points". International Real Tennis Professionals Association. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Champions Trophy 2024". International Real Tennis Professionals Association. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Real Tennis Champions Trophy 2024". Sports Tourism News. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  4. ^ White, Tom (11 June 2024). "Royal Tennis Court announces dates for new-look Champions Trophy at Hampton Court Palace". Woking News & Mail. Retrieved 6 October 2024.