Claire Fahey wins record-breaking 50th Open title
Becomes equal-most prolific player in the history of the game
Claire Fahey has made history by winning her 50th Open singles title, following a straight-sets victory over Saskia Bollerman in the US Ladies Open final at the Tennis and Racquet Club in Boston on Sunday. She also backed up and won the doubles title, partnered by Tara Lumley.
Fahey was clinical from the very first ball. Her shots were clean and precise and errors few and far between. Despite having played each other 12 times before over the past decade, Bollerman was no closer to making a dent in Fahey’s game, let alone improving on her personal best of three games in a match. Even when Fahey did err slightly, the next ball was so strong as to make up for the mistake. Even so, she was still furious at herself for missing the shot in the first place. Otherwise, it was a complete performance, with her cut-volley, her serving, her tambour play and her groundstrokes all working in sync. Bollerman’s best hope was to hit a gallery as quickly as possible, but even that would expose her to a devilish cut-volley on the change of ends. Bollerman’s only game came midway through the first set when she strung together a series of unreturnable serves.
Fahey’s victory marked her 50th in Open competition. In addition to being a significant career milestone in its own right, it puts her level with her husband Robert Fahey as the most prolific Open winner in the history of the game. Her career record is nothing short of remarkable. Her trophy cabinet contains 11 Australian Opens, 14 British Opens, 13 French Opens and 12 US Opens. She has completed a calendar-year Grand Slam on no fewer than 8 occasions. Undefeated in women’s singles play since 2010, she has conceded five games in a set only once. She has won finals against 13 different opponents and on 12 different courts.
“This is a really special Open to me. It’s amazing to be back here and pick up my 50th, which I’ve waited a really long time for and you never know if it’s going to come,” said Fahey. “I won my first ever Open here in America in 2008, so it’s been a long journey. It’s amazing to be back in America to celebrate the 50th, so thank you to everyone who has been there for a crazy journey — I hope there’s a few more years to come yet.
“Today is International Women’s Day. I don’t know if that was in the schedule, but it was amazing to be spending this time with a fantastic group of women,” she continued, “I hope that we get to share not only in our victories on court but also our passion, determination, resilience and everything else that comes with being out here. Hopefully we are there to inspire the next generation to break down the barriers and open doors. Everyone here is supporting that — that is the future of our game.”
As recognition for their success, both finalists were awarded honorary membership of the Tennis and Racquet Club, announced during the presentation at the conclusion of the match.
After a couple of hours, Fahey returned to the court, this time accompanied by Tara Lumley for the doubles final. Their opponents were Katherine Carney and Frederika Adam, the former marking a grand slam of doubles finals appearances — all within 12 months. The World Champions played with Lumley at the front, pushing high and being such a threat with her volley that Carney and Adam had no choice but to play it to Fahey to avoid the certain winner from Lumley. Fahey needn’t hit any spectacular winners or low-percentage shots; rallying down the main wall was enough to gather the points they needed. Though they battled hard, Carney and Adam weren’t able to register a game on the scoreboard. Fahey recovered the title she lost the year prior, sharing it with Lumley for the first time since 2019.
The show now moves to Chicago for the US Open, with qualifying beginning on March 16 and running through to March 26.
Match results:
10:30 AM: Claire Fahey (1) def Saskia Bollerman (3) 6/1 6/0
1:30 PM: Claire Fahey & Tara Lumley (1) def Katherine Carney & Frederika Adam (3) 6/0 6/0