For the first time in the United States, the Aiken Tennis Club proudly hosted the IRTPA Championships under its new title, the IRTPA Players Championship, sponsored by the Johnston Howell Academy.
This event marked the third major international tournament Aiken has staged this year, following both the First and Final World Championship Eliminators. It was another huge undertaking for the club and its President, Michael Sullivan, whose leadership and commitment made it all possible.
All top 10 players in the world competed — the first time this has happened in several years — making it one of the strongest and most competitive fields in modern Real Tennis history.
Satellite Event
Before the Players Championship began, Aiken hosted a Satellite Qualifier for those ranked outside the top eight. The matches were superb throughout, with several standout performances:
- Pete Dickinson pushed Josh Dodgson, recent US Pro Satellite winner, to a deciding game in the third set.
- Rising star Max Truman reached his first Satellite final after defeating Dodgson in the semifinals.
- Ultimately, two-time Open winner Bryn Sayers proved too strong, claiming the Satellite title with consistent and dominant play, beating Max Trueman 5/6 6/1 6/0
Main Draw Highlights
In the first round, all seeds advanced comfortably except for one thriller between Leon Smart and Lewis Williams. Their match came down to the final few points, with Leon clinching victory by finding a gallery off a hazard chase.
The quarterfinals delivered some top-quality tennis across the board. The standout encounter — and perhaps the match of the tournament — was between Rob Fahey and Nick Howell, Aiken’s home professional. In front of a packed crowd, the two battled to 5-all, 30-all in the third set before Fahey’s legendary precision earned him a narrow victory: 5–6, 6–3, 6–5.
The other three quarterfinals were far more one-sided, with world No. 1 Camden Riviere, world No. 2 John Lumley, and world No. 4 Ben Taylor-Matthews all advancing comfortably in straight sets.
In the semifinals, Fahey continued his remarkable run, defeating Lumley in stunning fashion, 6–3, 6–1. On the other side of the draw, Riviere overcame Taylor-Matthews in a high-quality contest, 6–3, 6–4, setting up a dream final between the reigning World Champion and the sport’s greatest ever player.
The Final
The much-anticipated final between Camden Riviere and Rob Fahey drew a full house at Aiken. Despite Fahey’s extraordinary week — defeating world No. 9 Bryn Sayers, world No. 3 Nick Howell, and world No. 2 John Lumley — the final proved one match too many. Camden was at his imperious best, showing why he is the reigning World Champion, winning 6–0, 6–1, 6–0.
Congratulations to Camden Riviere, Aiken’s homegrown champion, on another incredible performance.
Social Events and Pro-Am
It was a wonderful week not only of tennis but also of camaraderie. Players and members enjoyed a Tuesday night dinner on the court, golf outings at Aiken’s beautiful local courses, and a lively Pro-Am tournament, which featured two exciting finals:
- B Division Final: Rob Johnston & Rob Fahey – Champions
- A Division Final: Geoff Ellis & John Lumley – Champions
A special highlight of the week was a junior exhibition match during the Pro-Am, where four of Aiken’s juniors had the opportunity to take to the court with Camden Riviere and Rob Fahey. It was a truly memorable experience for the juniors and a proud moment for the club, showcasing the next generation of Real Tennis players in Aiken.
Acknowledgments
This tournament would not have been possible without the dedication and generosity of so many:
- Michael Sullivan, Club President – for his outstanding leadership and commitment to hosting three major events this year.
- Susie Falkner – CEO IRTPA
- George Handy & Morgan Purvis, Co-Chairs – for their tireless work ensuring the event went smoothly .
- Ryan Carey for the incredible streaming he provides.
- Jerry Mount – for expertly organizing player housing.
- Brien Grande- Pro Am chairman
- Robert Glance – for providing superb food and beverages throughout the week.
- Rob Johnston – for his invaluable sponsorship through the Johnston Howell Academy, making this event possible.
It was an unforgettable week for Real Tennis in Aiken — world-class competition, unmatched hospitality, and a celebration of the sport at its very best.
