Pierre Etchebaster

Who was Pierre Etchebaster?

Pierre Etchebaster is widely considered history's greatest player of real tennis, the original racquet sport from which the modern game of lawn tennis, is descended.

Born in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France, a Basque fishing village, he served in the French Army during World War I before returning home to become the French champion in main nués, pala and chistera, all varieties of Basque pelota.

In 1922, Etchebaster was encouraged by tennis player Jacques Worth to take up the game of real tennis. His first time on the court was during his audition to be the head professional of the club. After a few minutes of play, he was selected to fill the role. George Plimpton wrote that this was equivalent to "picking up a baseball bat in the morning and playing for the New York Yankees in the afternoon."

Despite losing to Fred Covey in 1927, Etchebaster returned in his customary blue beret to win the world championship in London in 1928. He emigrated to New York City in 1930 where he played as a professional at the Racquet and Tennis Club. Etchebaster proceeded to dominate the sport. He was world champion for a record-breaking 26 years until his retirement at the age of 60. He defended the title seven times — a feat unmatched until 2006 when Robert Fahey made his seventh title defense.