Meet the man with his eyes on the prize… the ‘real tennis’ star who has won 26 world titles 

He may be the greatest sportsman you’ve never heard of. For Rob Fahey’s achievements put Roger Federer and Usain Bolt in the shade.

The 54-year-old will seek his 27th world title in 29 years next month. But Fahey’s exploits have gone unnoticed because few have heard of his sport, real tennis.

Unlike the lawn variety, it is centuries old and played indoors with a hard ball, on a court with shed-like protuberances known as penthouses.

Henry VIII was a devotee. Fahey, from Reading, is not the only champion in the family. 

Wife Claire, 31, pictured with him, has ten world titles. Having had a hip replacement last year, Fahey will retire after September’s world championships in Essex.

If he wins, he will earn around £35,000 – Wimbledon champions get £2million. 

‘After all this time I’m pretty used to not getting the publicity,’ he said. 

‘I’ve seen Rafa (Nadal) walk into Queen’s Club and the circus it brings, and that would be testing for me. The exposure would be better for the sport but I am happy to live my life normally, to walk into a shop and not get the attention.’  

Real Tennis has long battled with its reputation as an elitist sport, and has struggled to attract investment and interest.

The centuries-old sport’s most famous player is arguably Henry VIII.

‘He is not the kind of guy you look up to but he was a good athlete, by all accounts,’ Fahey said.

‘I think it’s probably quite hard to top him when it comes to thinking of famous Real Tennis players.

‘I will just stick to the one wife though.’

Claire Fahey, 31, his wife, boasts 11 years as women’s Real Tennis champion and said they live a normal life with children Sophie, six, and Freddie, four, despite their sporting successes.

There are just a handful of Real Tennis courts in the UK.

The World Championships will be held from September 11 -15.