Video: Magnolia Club in Columbus Hosts Tennis Tournament for Seniors

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Life long tennis lovers came to Columbus this weekend to compete in a state championship tournament. The players have to be at least 65 to enter the competition.

“I was in education for many years and my joy of retiring was so that I could play tennis all the time,” says Leanne Summers, a League Coordinator with the United States Tennis Association’s Mississippi chapter.

For the 3rd year in a row, the Magnolia Tennis Club is hosting players 65 and over for the United States Tennis Association’s Mississippi championship tournament. Hundreds of tennis players traveled to Columbus from across the state for a weekend of competition. Organizers say both the players and the City of Columbus benefit when the tournament comes to town.

“This event in particular, there were 265 participants. Most of those people will be from out of town. So they’re going to be in your hotels, in your restaurants, shopping,” says Lindsey Sartain with the Adult Division of USTA Mississippi.

The seniors competed in teams on clay and hard tennis courts. Participants say the game of tennis is good exercise and easy to play.

“It’s a sport that you can play at any age. I never thought I’d be playing at 72 years old but I think I’ll be able to play, if my health holds up, into my 80s,” says Team Captain Robert Hudson.

So for those of you who think it’s too late to hit the courts, the players have some advice:

“Find a racket, find a can of balls, find a partner and you’re ready to go,” says Summers.

This weekend’s event was free to the public and the tournament will return to Columbus next year.