Players Profiles

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Stevie

25/09/1978

Travelling, watching all sports, meeting new people and listening to music.

Steve.Virgona@irtpa.com

Steve moved from Melbourne to start his professional career at the Ballarat Real Tennis club in October 1994 at the age of 16. He took to the game well after having a successful career as a junior lawn tennis player.

He quickly improved and moved to England after 2 years. He worked as a locum professional before becoming Assistant Professional at the Holyport Real Tennis Club before joining Frank Filippelli at Middlesex University where a court opened in October 1999.

He won the British Under 24 singles and doubles from 1998-2002 and the British Under 21 singles in 1998 and 1999.

In 1998 Steve and Ruaraidh Gunn won three of the four Open Doubles titles and were finalists in the 4th. He was also finalist in the British Open 1998 and 2001 US Pro Singles.

In 1999 he won his first senior singles, the British Professional Championship.

After leaving the Burroughs Steve went to work at the Cambridge University Real Tennis Club for three months before taking up the position of Head Professional at the Harbour Club in December 2001.
Steve left the Harbour Club in July 2003 and after a period out of the game returned at the Australian Open carnival in 2004 and showed his renewed enthusiasm by reaching the final of The Australian Pro Singles, defeating Ruaraidh Gunn in straight sets before succumbing to the World Champion Rob Fahey in a close final.

Steve is now the World Doubles Champion holder partnered by Rob Fahey. They won the title in Hobart, Australia in September 2003 and retained the title in Fontainebleau, France in September 2005.

In August 2005, Steve won his first Open Singles Title at the Australian Open defeating the current World Champion Rob Fahey. In September 2005 he defeated Rob Fahey in the final of the IRTPA Championships.

These wins have also brought Steve into contention for challenging for the World Championships in 2006.

For results prior to the results below, please look at the tournament page and each individual tournament under Tournament History.  Steve's Open win was prior to this system being created.  The win came in the Australian Open in 2005 defeating Rob Fahey at Romsey.