Gail Falkenberg has shown that the world of tennis does not understand ages. The American tennis player has returned to compete on the ITF women's circuit this week after almost three years of absence … at 74 years old!
Falkenberg's history on the circuit, after on the UCLA tennis and basketball teams in the 1960s, dates back to 1986, when at age 39 he made the leap to professional tennis. in ITF tournaments and even playing in some WTA tournaments like Auckland, being number 360 in the WTA ranking and playing the Australian Open preview.
Since then Falkenberg has competed in ITF Tour tournaments except for a three-year hiatus between 1991 and 1994, another 12-year hiatus between 1999 and 2011. and the last hiatus from 2018 until now. In fact, in 2015, Falkenberg's name appeared in the media in 2016 when, At 69, she beat Rosalyn Small, 47 years younger than her, with a resounding 6-0 and 6-1. in the preview of the Pelham tournament.
On her return, Falkenberg played the previous round of the ITF tournament in Naples against French Tiphanie Fiquet, 54 years her junior, and on her return fell by a double 6-0, but the result was the least. “I made her play a bit, I wanted it to be nice for her. When I hit a ball to the side, she couldn't run there, but He has a very good forehand that when he was younger it should have worked well “, confessed Fiquet to the newspaper L'Équipe.
In this same newspaper Falkenberg explained the reasons why he continues to play tennis. “I remember I played a previous round against Jennifer Capriati when she was 13. I keep playing because I am still 100% passionate about this game. Qthat to the problems in my family I have continued training during these years up to four or five times a week “.
In fact, Falkenberg doesn't make excuses with age. “I am 74 years old but in very good shape! Except for my knees, which are a bit tired, everything is fine. I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't take drugs and I have a very balanced diet based on vegetables, potatoes and fruits. “
The veteran American tennis player warns that she will continue on the circuit with a single objective: to win a match on the professional circuit again. “I have a good spoon serve, to make two direct serves is not bad. I have to regain my level and I need to play more. I'll keep playing until my body says enough. I can still win a professional game. “ An example that tennis does not understand ages.