HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Chris Chapman (born 23 April 1985) is an
Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Aus ...
professional
real tennis Real tennis – one of several games sometimes called "the sport of kings" – is the original racquet sport from which the modern game of tennis (also called "lawn tennis") is derived. It is also known as court tennis in the United Sta ...
player formerly ranked world number 3 and currently based at the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club. Chapman challenged for the
Real Tennis World Championship The Real Tennis World Championship is the main competition in real tennis. Start year # Men's singles: 1740 # Men's doubles: 2001 # Women's singles: 1985 # Women's doubles: 1985 Men's singles Men's singles in real tennis was the first world ch ...
on 3 occasions, reaching the Final Eliminator in
2020 The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...
. Over his career, he won 3 Open
singles Singles are people not in a committed relationship. Singles may also refer to: Film and television * ''Singles'' (miniseries), a 1984 Australian television series * ''Singles'' (1992 film), written and directed by Cameron Crowe * ''Singles'' ...
titles, 2 at the
Australian Open The Australian Open (stylized ΛO) is a tennis tournament organised by Tennis Australia annually at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Victoria (state), Victoria, Australia. It is chronologically the first of the four Grand Slam (tennis), Grand Sl ...
and 1 at the
French Open The French Open (), also known as Roland-Garros (), is a tennis tournament organized by the French Tennis Federation annually at Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. It is chronologically the second of the four Grand Slam (tennis), Grand Slam ...
. He also holds 5 Open doubles titles. In 2023 during the
British Open The Open Championship, often referred to as The Open or the British Open, is the oldest golf tournament in the world, and one of the most prestigious. Founded in 1860, it was originally held annually at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. Later th ...
, he announced his retirement from international competitions, although he still competes in Australian competitions, notably winning the 2025 Australian Open Doubles.


Career

Chapman began his career as a
squash Squash most often refers to: * Squash (sport), the high-speed racquet sport also known as squash racquets * Squash (plant), the fruit of vines of the genus ''Cucurbita'' Squash may also refer to: Sports * Squash (professional wrestling), an extr ...
player, playing in the Victorian Open Championships in 2004. In 2007, he began playing
real tennis Real tennis – one of several games sometimes called "the sport of kings" – is the original racquet sport from which the modern game of tennis (also called "lawn tennis") is derived. It is also known as court tennis in the United Sta ...
as a professional at the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club. After just five months playing the sport, he competed at his first Australian Open in January 2008, winning his first competitive match against Patrick Winthrop in 5 sets, but losing in the quarter final to
World Champion A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game ...
Robert Fahey Robert Leo Fahey (born 30 April 1968, in Hobart, Tasmania), nicknamed "Bag", is an Australian real tennis player and the former World Champion of the sport, holding the title from 16 March 1994 to 21 May 2016 and again from 28 April 2018 to ...
. Over the next two years, Chapman developed his game on the Australian circuit, reaching the finals of the Victorian and Tasmanian Opens. Chapman competed in his first British Open in 2009, losing his first round match to Paul Knox. In 2010, Chapman moved to the Royal Tennis Court at
Hampton Court Palace Hampton Court Palace is a Listed building, Grade I listed royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, southwest and upstream of central London on the River Thames. Opened to the public, the palace is managed by Historic Royal ...
to further his playing career. He reached the final of the 2010 IRTPA Satellite, losing to Rod McNaughtan. By the end of 2010, Chapman had reached a scratch handicap. He reached his first Open semi final at the 2011 Australian Open against
Steve Virgona Steve Virgona (born 25 September 1978) is an Australian professional real tennis player based in Chicago. , he is ranked number three in the world. Virgona's victories include the Australian Open (four times), the British Open (twice) and the ...
. Chapman competed with
Ruaraidh Gunn Rory is a given name of Gaelic origin. It is an anglicisation of the /''Ruaidhrí'' and /''Ruaraidh'' and is common to the Irish, Highland Scots and their diasporas. for the given name "Rory". The meaning of the name is "red king", composed of ...
at the 2011 World Doubles Championship in
Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...
, winning through the quarter final in straight sets but losing to
Ben Taylor-Matthews Ben Taylor-Matthews (born 27 July 1984) is a professional British Real Tennis player based at Bristol Real Tennis Club. His career high ranking is world number 4, and his current ranking is 5. To date, he is yet to win a major singles title but ...
and Julian Snow in the semi final. The remainder of the 2011 season saw him winning the Category A Open against Matthew Ronaldson in
Oxford Oxford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town. The city is home to the University of Oxford, the List of oldest universities in continuou ...
and the US Pro Satellite against Richard Smith, while making his debut at the French and US Opens. In 2012 and 2013, Chapman saw the most success on the doubles court regularly reaching 6 Open semifinals, three of them partnering
Ben Taylor-Matthews Ben Taylor-Matthews (born 27 July 1984) is a professional British Real Tennis player based at Bristol Real Tennis Club. His career high ranking is world number 4, and his current ranking is 5. To date, he is yet to win a major singles title but ...
. In 2013, Chapman reached the final of the
Middlesex University Middlesex University London (legally Middlesex University and abbreviated to MDX) is a public research university based in Hendon, northwest London, England. The university also has campuses in Dubai and Mauritius. The name of the university is ...
British Challenge against
Ricardo Smith Ricardo is the Spanish and Portuguese cognate of the name Richard. It derived from Proto-Germanic ''*rīks'' 'king, ruler' + ''*harduz'' 'hard, brave'. It may be a given name, or a surname. People Given name *Ricardo de Araújo Pereira (born 19 ...
, a competition devised to give more players experience at the best of 13 set format. However, 2013 did not end well for Chapman, retiring at the British Open doubles semi final after just 3 games. Chapman returned to competition and the 2014 French Open, playing a very tight first round match against
Robert Fahey Robert Leo Fahey (born 30 April 1968, in Hobart, Tasmania), nicknamed "Bag", is an Australian real tennis player and the former World Champion of the sport, holding the title from 16 March 1994 to 21 May 2016 and again from 28 April 2018 to ...
. 2015 was a breakout year for Chapman, reaching his first Open final at the Australian Open after a close semi final against
Kieran Booth Kieran Booth (born 12 July 1980) is an amateur Australian real tennis player currently based at the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club. He has won the Australian Open doubles on four occasions, most recently in 2022 Australian Open (real tennis), 202 ...
. His form continued into the latter half of the season, reached the final of the European Open at
Lord's Cricket Ground Lord's Cricket Ground, commonly known as Lord's, is a cricket List of Test cricket grounds, venue in St John's Wood, Westminster. Named after its founder, Thomas Lord, it is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and is the home of Middlesex C ...
against Fahey in October, followed by his first Doubles Open title at the
British Open The Open Championship, often referred to as The Open or the British Open, is the oldest golf tournament in the world, and one of the most prestigious. Founded in 1860, it was originally held annually at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. Later th ...
with
Steve Virgona Steve Virgona (born 25 September 1978) is an Australian professional real tennis player based in Chicago. , he is ranked number three in the world. Virgona's victories include the Australian Open (four times), the British Open (twice) and the ...
, beating
Bryn Sayers Bryn Sayers (born April or August 1985) is a British professional real tennis player currently ranked at number seven in the world. He unsuccessfully challenged for the Real Tennis World Championship on four occasions, reaching the Final Eliminat ...
and
Ricardo Smith Ricardo is the Spanish and Portuguese cognate of the name Richard. It derived from Proto-Germanic ''*rīks'' 'king, ruler' + ''*harduz'' 'hard, brave'. It may be a given name, or a surname. People Given name *Ricardo de Araújo Pereira (born 19 ...
in the final 3 sets to 1. Two months later, Chapman won the 2016 Australian Open with
Robert Fahey Robert Leo Fahey (born 30 April 1968, in Hobart, Tasmania), nicknamed "Bag", is an Australian real tennis player and the former World Champion of the sport, holding the title from 16 March 1994 to 21 May 2016 and again from 28 April 2018 to ...
. He and Virgona reached the final of the 2016 US Open, losing to world champions Tim Chisholm and
Camden Riviere Camden Riviere (born 1987) is an American left-handed real tennis player and current world champion. He became world champion on May 21, 2016, defeating long-time holder Robert Fahey 7 sets to 2 at Riviere's home court, the National Tennis Club, ...
. At the end of the year chapman played his first
British Open The Open Championship, often referred to as The Open or the British Open, is the oldest golf tournament in the world, and one of the most prestigious. Founded in 1860, it was originally held annually at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. Later th ...
final, also against Riviere but losing in straight sets, a tournament which included his first victory over
Robert Fahey Robert Leo Fahey (born 30 April 1968, in Hobart, Tasmania), nicknamed "Bag", is an Australian real tennis player and the former World Champion of the sport, holding the title from 16 March 1994 to 21 May 2016 and again from 28 April 2018 to ...
during the quarter final and his first victory over
Steve Virgona Steve Virgona (born 25 September 1978) is an Australian professional real tennis player based in Chicago. , he is ranked number three in the world. Virgona's victories include the Australian Open (four times), the British Open (twice) and the ...
in the semifinal. With another final at the IRTPA Championships in 2017, Chapman had accrued enough world race points to qualify for the 2018 World Championship Eliminators. Chapman was the third seed of the eliminators, in the first round he drew second seed
Steve Virgona Steve Virgona (born 25 September 1978) is an Australian professional real tennis player based in Chicago. , he is ranked number three in the world. Virgona's victories include the Australian Open (four times), the British Open (twice) and the ...
. Chapman won the bid to host the eliminator at his home club of the Royal Tennis Court. In the best of 9 set match, Virgona won the first four sets on the first day, and thus opted to play the fifth set that same day, which he also won. 2018 would go on to be the best of Chapman's career. Chapman won the
2018 French Open The 2018 French Open was a Grand Slam (tennis), major tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts. It took place at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France, from 27 May to 10 June and consisted of events for players in singles, doubles and m ...
against
Ben Taylor-Matthews Ben Taylor-Matthews (born 27 July 1984) is a professional British Real Tennis player based at Bristol Real Tennis Club. His career high ranking is world number 4, and his current ranking is 5. To date, he is yet to win a major singles title but ...
in straight sets, after a five set semi final against Virgona. Chapman would also reach the final of the Australian and British Opens, the US Professional Singles at
Newport Newport most commonly refers to: *Newport, Wales *Newport, Rhode Island, US Newport or New Port may also refer to: Places Asia *Newport City, Metro Manila, a Philippine district in Pasay * Newport (Vietnam), a United States Army and Army of t ...
and the second edition of the
Champions Trophy The ICC Champions Trophy, formerly known as the ICC Knock Out Trophy, is an international One Day International (ODI) cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) contested by international men's teams. Inaugurat ...
, reaching a career high ranking of world number 3. He was also a finalist at three of the four doubles Opens that year. At the end of the 2019 season, Chapman would leave the Royal Tennis Court, moving back to the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club. Chapman's performance in the 2018-19 World Race would again qualify him for the World Championship Eliminators in
2020 The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...
. In the First Round Eliminator, he drew
Ben Taylor-Matthews Ben Taylor-Matthews (born 27 July 1984) is a professional British Real Tennis player based at Bristol Real Tennis Club. His career high ranking is world number 4, and his current ranking is 5. To date, he is yet to win a major singles title but ...
, winning the bid to host the event in
Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...
. Ahead of the event, he lost the final of the Governor's Cup in
Hobart Hobart ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the island state of Tasmania, Australia. Located in Tasmania's south-east on the estuary of the River Derwent, it is the southernmost capital city in Australia. Despite containing nearly hal ...
to John Lumley, before beating him in the Australian Open semi final in
Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...
. Chapman would go on to win his first Australian Open singles title against
Kieran Booth Kieran Booth (born 12 July 1980) is an amateur Australian real tennis player currently based at the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club. He has won the Australian Open doubles on four occasions, most recently in 2022 Australian Open (real tennis), 202 ...
, and his second Australian Open doubles title with Nick Howell. At the Eliminator, the best of 9 set match was tied after the first day, with both players exchanging sets through the day. On the second day, the players would exchange sets a third time, before Chapman finally won two consecutive sets to win 5 games to 3. Chapman then progressed to the Final Eliminator against former World Champion
Camden Riviere Camden Riviere (born 1987) is an American left-handed real tennis player and current world champion. He became world champion on May 21, 2016, defeating long-time holder Robert Fahey 7 sets to 2 at Riviere's home court, the National Tennis Club, ...
, who had lost his title at the 2018 World Championship. Riviere won the bid for hosting rights, with the match being held at the
Tennis and Racquet Club The Tennis and Racquet Club is a private social club and athletic club located at 939 Boylston Street, in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), ...
in
Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
in a best of 13 set format. Riviere won all four sets on the first day, and three of four sets on the second day meaning the third day of the match would not be required. Riviere would go on to win the overall title in 2022, delayed due to the
COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
. The pandemic also prevented Chapman from playing any further competitive tennis in 2020 and 2021, only playing in the travel restricted Melbourne Open in January 2021 in lieu of the regular Australian Open. Chapman returned to competition at the 2022 US Open, where he lost the quarter final to Leon Smart. Through reaching the final of the
2022 French Open The 2022 French Open was a Grand Slam (tennis), Grand Slam tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts. It was held at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France, from 22 May to 5 June 2022, comprising singles, doubles and mixed doubles play. J ...
against Riviere, he again had enough World Race points to enter the 2023 World Championship Eliminators. As fourth seed, Chapman drew John Lumley in the First Round Eliminator. Lumley won the bid to host the event at the
Racquet Club of Philadelphia The Racquet Club of Philadelphia (RCOP) is a private social club and athletic club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It has facilities for squash, real tennis, and racquets. The club is ranked in the Top 20 Athletic Clubs on the Platinum Club o ...
. Lumley won the first three sets of the best of 9 set match, with Chapman closing out the first day with a close 6/5 set. On the second day, Lumley won two of three sets to progress to the Final Eliminator. In 2023, Chapman won the
Australian Open The Australian Open (stylized ΛO) is a tennis tournament organised by Tennis Australia annually at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Victoria (state), Victoria, Australia. It is chronologically the first of the four Grand Slam (tennis), Grand Sl ...
singles for the second time, coming back from a two set deficit to defeat Nick Howell in five sets. In the doubles, he partnered Howell to win his third Australian Open doubles title against
Kieran Booth Kieran Booth (born 12 July 1980) is an amateur Australian real tennis player currently based at the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club. He has won the Australian Open doubles on four occasions, most recently in 2022 Australian Open (real tennis), 202 ...
and Levi Gale. Chapman played his last international tournament at the 2023 US Professional Singles, where he lost in the first round to
Robert Shenkman Robert Shenkman (born 20 September 1996) is an amateur British real tennis player currently based at the Manchester Tennis and Racquet Club. He is the current British Amateur Champion, US Amateur Champion, and MCC Gold Racquet holder, the first ...
in five sets. During the
2023 British Open The 2023 British Open (officially the 2023 Cazoo British Open) was a professional snooker tournament that took place from 25 September to 1 October 2023 at the Centaur in Cheltenham, England. Qualifying took place from 14 to 19 August at the Mo ...
(where he was absent) he announced his retirement from international competitions via social media. He has continued to play Australian tournaments, most notably the
2025 Australian Open The 2025 Australian Open was a Grand Slam (tennis), Grand Slam level tennis tournament held at Melbourne Park from 12 to 26 January 2025. It was the 113th edition of the Australian Open, the 57th in the Open Era, and the first Grand Slam (tenn ...
where he partnered with
Camden Riviere Camden Riviere (born 1987) is an American left-handed real tennis player and current world champion. He became world champion on May 21, 2016, defeating long-time holder Robert Fahey 7 sets to 2 at Riviere's home court, the National Tennis Club, ...
to beat
Ben Taylor-Matthews Ben Taylor-Matthews (born 27 July 1984) is a professional British Real Tennis player based at Bristol Real Tennis Club. His career high ranking is world number 4, and his current ranking is 5. To date, he is yet to win a major singles title but ...
and
Robert Fahey Robert Leo Fahey (born 30 April 1968, in Hobart, Tasmania), nicknamed "Bag", is an Australian real tennis player and the former World Champion of the sport, holding the title from 16 March 1994 to 21 May 2016 and again from 28 April 2018 to ...
in the final in five sets.


Performance timeline


Singles

''Current through the 2025 Australian Open''


Doubles


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chapman, Chris 1985 births Living people Australian real tennis players