There are various numbers in the game of tennis, some of which are more important than others. One that is not all that important is the age of the person holding the racquet. If you have a love for the sport, age should not really matter.
Case in point is Encanto resident and tennis player Roz King.
The senior citizen has a love affair with a sport loved by millions in the U.S. and around the world. According to the United States Tennis Association (USTA), some 23.6 million individuals in the U.S. play tennis.
King, who did not pick up a tennis racquet until she was 45 years old, became the top player in the world in her division. Even as a world champion, King believes her highest honor is her San Diego District Sportsmanship Award.
King, who has played on 11 USTA World Cup teams, has had the chance to travel the world as a result of tennis. Those stops have included Turkey, Croatia, New Zealand, Australia, Austria and Spain.
Through her work as treasurer of the Greater San Diego City Tennis Council, King has been a driving force in seeing to the repair of more than 400 public tennis courts throughout San Diego County.
A retired nurse practitioner and healthcare administrator by trade, King worked with Kaiser Medical Services for 31 years.
La Mesa Courier recently caught up with King to chat about her love of the sport.
LMC: How did you pick up the sport of tennis in your mid 40’s and what was the reasoning behind it?
King: I observed more senior players playing at a public park I frequented. They were skilled and really enjoying each other and the play and I was looking for outside activity and the challenge.
LMC: What are some of the things you most enjoy about the sport?
King: I enjoy the competition, the journey of improving my skills, it is a social equalizer as the focus is tennis skills. The travel for tournament competition and meeting fellow players and through the years developing long term friendships throughout the world. At this age, 87, I particularly appreciate the health benefits.
LMC: Do you watch the women’s pro tour? If so, what are your thoughts on the women pros today, especially given how many young women seem to have burst on the scene in recent years? Any women players you most enjoy watching?
King: I like to follow new players and watch their tactical development. I prefer watching players that have a lot of variety not just power. I have been a fan of Serena, Radwanska and now Coco and Alvarez. I watch most of the televised majors and local tennis as well. I like to encourage local players to play tournaments…. get in the game!
LMC: Whether a young girl or an older woman interested in playing tennis for the first time, what is some advice you would give them?
King: I suggest finding a tennis instructor, take group lessons (find new friends to hit with), develop proper body mechanics (avoid injury), remind new players that it is a journey and to set small goals, hit regularly and stay with it…it is a game for a lifetime.
For Roz King, her love of the sport has made the second half of her life all that much more enjoyable.
