Over time 74-year-old James (Jim) Gardner's voice may have softened a bit but his tennis strokes are still smoking! He is one of the remarkable senior players at Pomander Gate Tennis Club who refuses to succumb to being a spectator.

Mr. Gardner, always an enthusiastic gentleman, is a player all the way and he plays doubles almost daily.

"I started playing tennis when I was a college student. I used to play mostly singles but I gave that up four years ago,'' he said.

Tennis can be a sport for life and in the last 20 years has become more popular worldwide. It is the type of sport you can adjust your level of play and still enjoy fresh air and exercise.

As you get older you may not move about as quickly as when you were younger but you can learn to compensate by placing the ball better and playing smarter points.

"At my age I prefer doubles. It is more suitable for my level of play and I enjoy producing a variety of strokes. In doubles, more strategy is required than in singles and I like the mental stimulation of trying to set up a point and winning it with my partner.'' Mr. Gardner has had a passion for tennis since he first picked up a racquet.

Players beware of his ambidextrous manoeuvres as they capture points! He played squash until about six years ago. This kept him well conditioned for strenuous singles against Gil DeSouza each week.

"I try to keep conditioned for tennis by doing water aerobics in the summer.

Everyday I exercise our dog Blitz, a Jack Russell Terrier.'' Mr. DeSouza and Mr. Gardner have know each other over 25 years and continue to enjoy their tennis friendship by playing doubles two or times a week.

"I was an architect for 30 years and Gil was a contractor. We started playing tennis together a long time ago. Tennis has that sociable aspect to it and I enjoy seeing old friends on a regular basis,'' shared Mr. Gardner.

Most people feel a sense of exhilaration after a good work out in any sport because in actual fact endorphins are released from the brain following exercise which leaves one with a sense of well being.

When Mr. Gardner was asked how he feels after playing two or three sets he responded: "It depends on how strong a work out my opponents give me. I usually get a good work out. I love playing with old friends. Two are older than me, over 80 I think, and that's Joe Dey and Ernest Stempel. We usually play on Sunday morning.'' Competitive friends: Gil DeSouza (left) and Jim Gardner (right) have played tennis with and against each other for over 25 years.

SENIORS SR