REPORT FROM THE IRTPA ON THE 2008 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS


All World Challenges are exciting, but this one was quite extraordinary for many reasons.

It was the first time that a defending champion had played in all 4 real tennis countries; it was the first time a world challenge had been played in France; should Rob Fahey win he would surpass Pierre Etchebaster’s record of 8 wins. 

From Camden Riviere’s perspective, he is the youngest ever challenger, turning 21 on the first day of the Challenge and could he become the youngest World Champion?

Fontainebleau started to fill with spectators on the Sunday and Monday – suddenly the bars in front of the Carousel were full – the party was beginning.  What a week it was and the week will go down as one of the best for many reasons, but probably primarily because it was such a relaxed affair, thanks to our hosts, The French.  They put on an event not seen before, of course the venue made it very different and so sophisticated with the highlight of the social events being the Gala Dinner at the Galerie des Cerfs of le Château de Fontainebleau

The French Committee,  led by Bertrand Faure Beaulieu, Olivier Michel, Guy Durand and Solange Sempere were absolutely outstanding and not only the IRTPA but all of the world’s tennis community should applaud and thank them.   I spoke at the final dinner; much to my horror as I am not great at standing up in front of people and being coherent and succinct; I mentioned the fact that when the French made their bid, they adhered to all the criteria but there was a final P.S.  “French Rules Apply” – this could be interpreted in many ways – but I believe they were pointing out it would be run as the French wished – well run it they did and it was just wonderful.

The match itself has been well covered by Alan Chalmers, which can be seen under the News Section of the World Championship News Page, so I will not go into a long dialogue here.  But there are a few observations I would like to make:

  

The first day had to be to the advantage of Rob Fahey.  He has been here before, is a fast starter and with many year’s of experience.  Both players were nervous, Camden Riviere though was moving better and in a more attacking mode.  His retrieving was just spectacular and in the second and third set, which Camden won, he definitely had Rob perplexed and very anxious.  When Camden was 2/1 up in sets, the general murmur around the court was “well we are going to have a third day’s play”.  Of course this was wrong until Rob won the 4th and final set of the day’s play to level the score at 2/2….!

The second day’s play was very interesting from the angle of how the player’s acted on court.  Rob was absolutely ‘in the zone’ and hitting the ball so much better than on the 1st day but Camden did not appear to be at ease with himself and in the second set of the day mentally went on a ‘walk about’ – he was distracted by the fact that a spectator in the Colonnades got hit by a service ball from Rob and said something along the lines of “hey fella, you should watch out for those” – the next 3 returns of serve from Camden went into the net and the game went to Rob and Camden lost that set 6/3.  One thing is for sure though, Camden is when focussed the consummate competitor and in the 3rd set of the day’s play, he was 5/2 down and came back to win the set 6/5.  This effort though, in conjunction with Rob just lifting his game saw Riviere losing the last set of the day to love.

The third and final day needed Rob to win 2 more sets:  There was much discussion on the Friday and on the Saturday as to what would happen when play recommenced – it is of course so easy playing the game as a spectator!!

Nobody, notably the Australians who were there to support thought it was ‘all over’ with Rob winning the required sets straight off; there were a few comments from the British that if it went to 5 sets surely this would be Camden’s greatest opportunity?  How did I call it? I said Rob would win 7/5 but if it went to 6/6 I was not at all sure. 
 

The third and final day again saw Rob Fahey starting quickly and he took the 9th set 6/1.  At that time when I put the result on our web site I said “Riviere is likely now to ‘unleash hell’ – for Rob Fahey that must have been how it seemed – Camden won the next two sets 6/2 6/1.
In the 12th and what would finally be the last set of the Challenge Rob Fahey was or so it appeared in absolute control, he went up 5/2 but all of you top players out there never again underestimate the steel that Camden has; maybe for Rob to win that last game was hard, but what happened was that Camden played so well, knowing now that he had to go for broke.  Rob was also ‘incensed’ by two previous sets he had lost 6/5 when being well in the lead and to his mind this was not going to happen again.  It didn’t – and the rest is now history.

The set scores were:  6/1 3/6 5/6 6/4 6/2 6/3 5/6 6/0 6/1 2/6 1/6 6/5

A major refurbishment of the court has taken place.  For those of you who have played at Fontainebleau, you will I am sure, recall that it is large - in comparison to the court at Oxford, the word 'vast' comes to mind. The Court itself has been refurbished so that it will not be as 'quirky' as it has been in the past; there is new lighting, a smaller dedans, grille and last gallery plus a smoother floor and walls.

The Comite Francais have a vision - with this World Championship as their 'springboard', they wish new courts to be built in France.  The IRTPA applaud their vision and give them their full support in this wonderful endeavour to return Jeu de Paume to its former glory.

Susie Falkner
IRTPA