“Until My Body Tells Me to Stop”: 74-Year-Old Gail Falkenberg Dreams to Win on Professional Circuit
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A general view inside the Wimbledon Number 1 court with the new fixed and retractable roof after the Wimbledon Spring Press Conference 2019 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on April 30, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
You can probably tell her age from her wrinkles, but certainly not from the way she moves on a tennis court! Call her a freak of nature but inside Gail Falkenburg’s aging body lives a young heart that nurtures a dream — to return to the professional circuit.
The super granny who once ranked 360th in the world is not only going strong at 74 but has returned to tennis after a gap of more than three years.
Gail Falkenburg lost ITF qualifier on return to tennis
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Though she failed to clear the first round of qualifiers for an ITF event in Florida, suffering a double bagel loss (6-0, 6-0 margin of victory), it couldn’t shake her spirit and resolve to keep chasing her dreams on the tennis court.
"J'ai 74 ans, mais je suis en super forme ! À part mes genoux, un peu fatigués, tout va bien. Je ne fume pas, je ne bois pas, je ne prends pas de drogue… Je continuerai à jouer jusqu'à ce que mon corps me dise stop. Je peux encore gagner un match pro." https://t.co/eUl661BBNu
— Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) May 4, 2021
Falkenburg says apart from her weary knees, she’s fine
Speaking to French daily L’Equipe, the 74-year-old Falkenburg declared, “I can still win a pro game.” She added that she may be in her seventies but is in “great shape”.
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(Quotes have been translated)
The American said that apart from the fact that her knees do get weary at times, she is in fine fettle to compete. She added that she has no bad habits or addictions and takes no substance to boost her performance on the court.
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“I’m 74 years old, but I’m in great shape! Apart from my knees, a little tired, everything is fine. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t take drugs,” Falkenburg said.
Stressing that she has the game and fitness to win a match on the professional circuit, the super granny says she will play on as long as she can’t anymore.
“I will continue to play until my body tells me to stop. I can still win a pro game,” the 74-year-old said.
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