A WORLD champion tennis player is set to defend his crown for the final time in Essex next month.

Rob Fahey is set for his final world title defence in real tennis at Prested Hall in Feering.

Rob and wife Claire are one of the top sporting couples in the world.

Rob has been world champion for 26 of the last 28 years, winning the title a record 13 times.

His trophy cabinet boasts 51 Open singles titles and 50 Open doubles titles from Australia, Britain, France and the USA. 

He met wife Claire on the game’s circuit in 2010, before marrying eight years ago and then having two children, Sophie, six, and Freddie, four.

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Claire has been the reigning world champion for 11 years and has won 37 other titles.

Rob is now set to finally hang up his racket after one more title shot at the World Championships, with Claire helping him to prep for the event. 

Claire said: “We are really fortunate to have each other to practise with as for other people playing at a high level they can struggle to find a practice partner - whereas we both have each other on hand.

“But tennis aside, we really are an ordinary husband and wife.” 

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Rob had a hip replacement operation in February 2021 and has had to battle to get back to peak fitness.

He is now aiming to go out on a high in next month’s twice Covid-delayed world championships.  

But win or lose, Rob intends to finally retire from competitive real tennis.

Rob will be launching an academy programme, inviting thousands of young athletes to come and try real tennis, with the most promising talents being given a scholarship.

He said: “My goal is to ensure this great game lives on for at least another 800 years.

“I want to introduce real tennis to a new, youthful audience and discover the next world champion.”

Rob will be defending his World Championship for the final time at Prested Hall in Feering on September 11, 13 and 15.