Shenkman wins David Cull Trophy with maiden victory over Fahey

Result marks Fahey's first loss to an amateur since 1993

Robert Shenkman has won the David Cull Trophy — a tournament restricted to members, candidates and professionals of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) — against former World Champion Robert Fahey, the first time Shenkman has ever defeated Fahey and the first loss by Fahey to an amateur in over 30 years.

On Sunday 10 August, Lord’s was treated to a classic encounter as two of the top eight players in the world competed for the reincarnated David Cull Trophy. This represented the highest quality of tennis on display at the MCC since the last European Open in 2015. It was great to see the encounter take place in a full house, with the dedans and galleries both packed full of members and supporters.

Marked by home professional Chris Swallow at the net, the match started evenly with Fahey and Shenkman trading games to 2-2. From then on, the play saw athletic defending of main wall forces by Shenkman with his aggressive boasts — coupled with some uncharacteristic errors on the return of serve from Fahey. This combination led to four straight games for the MCC Gold Racquet holder. First set to Shenkman 6-2.

Henry Stuttaford, Barbara Cull & Robert Shenkman. Photo credit: Henry Stuttaford

The second set followed a similar pattern, with Shenkman working hard to keep his nose in front as games were traded. A long game at 2-all felt key, with Shenkman coming out on top. Shenkman then faltered from 30-15 up in the next game, with a double fault, followed by netting an easy ball with the court at his mercy. One can’t give such opportunities to Fahey, and Fahey took the game to restore parity at 3-all. Shenkman regrouped, coming through another long game to take the lead again, aided by a couple of tight Fahey railroads called short by the marker. Shenkman then played arguably his best tennis of the match to win the next game to love, beating better than 2 for the final point. Inevitably, Fahey was not finished and having roared back to 5-all and serving with a 40-15 lead, the crowd were gearing up for a deciding set. Shenkman had other ideas, though, and having saved two set points he converted his second match point to take the match 6-2, 6-5.

The galleries at Lord’s for the final. Photo credit: Henry Stuttaford

On court afterwards, Barbara Cull — David Cull’s widow — was on hand to present the trophy, having attended especially for the event. It was an impressive win for Shenkman, beating Fahey for the first time and marking another milestone in his progress to becoming a world-beating player, having taken a set from Fahey at the US Pro in June. This marks the first time since 1993 that an amateur has beaten Fahey in any competition.

It was a fitting conclusion to the new summer tournament, which has allowed for high quality tennis from members and candidates to be showcased alongside the national and international cricketing calendar. Earlier rounds coincided with the third England vs India Test Match, with the final played during a One Day cup fixture between Middlesex and Sussex.

Earlier in the tournament, three matches from the initial stages stood out. Araminta “Minty” Oldham took a set off Beau Swallow, despite a 12-point handicap difference. Later, Oskar Denby record an impressive straight sets victory against the handicap over Joe Thompson. At the quarter-final stage, members were treated to an absolute classic, when home professional Chris Swallow won an epic three setter against Horatio Cary.

The David Cull Trophy has been a successful summer tournament for Lord’s, and we look forward to more exciting tennis with the next edition in 2026.