TENNIS - Veteran puts 80th on hold to play for title

Relaxing with a well-deserved cup of tea in your spare time would suit many 80-year-olds just fine - but not Alice Taylor.
About three to four times a week, the active 79-year-old can be found on the tennis court, and will spend her 80th birthday on court, competing at the National Veterans Tennis Tournament in Auckland.
Taylor turns 80 on Good Friday, the first day of the three-day event, but said she would not celebrate the milestone until after the competition had ended as she wanted to be on top form, showing her competitive streak was still well and truly alive.
"Now that I'm older, the reactions are a bit slower - but because you are playing in your own age group, games are still competitive."
A late starter in the sport, Taylor took up tennis when she was 29.
"I had been nursing up until then and never really had the opportunity to do anything else," she said.
Originally from Dunedin, Taylor moved north in 1965 and now lives in Maungatapere - with tennis keeping her busy.
Taylor is a member of the Maunu Club, Northland Veterans and Whangarei Veterans, and will join up with Whangarei's Alice Ottley, Liz Hodder, Cynthia Voss, Fayne Clark of Masterton and Jennifer Timperly, who will contest the 70+ age group for the Northland Tennis Seniors at the national tournament this weekend.
The five women will pair off for the doubles competition.
Taylor has had previous success with the Northland team at the National Veterans event, when they claimed their age-group title in 2003.
The dedicated sportswoman has played in so many tournaments she could not remember the exact number.
For Taylor, tennis is more than just a game - along with keeping her fit and active, the company she was invaluable, she said.
All up, eight teams of up to six players will be competing at the tournament from Northland Tennis Seniors.