THE Hawkesbury’s Marcia McMahon and Lynnette Nevell are 89 and 88 respectively, but every week they meet up at Richmond for a game of tennis.
The pair play in a social tennis group with a number of other ladies, though they are the oldest in the group.
They’ve both played tennis for years, and always look forward to their weekly meet up, which has been happening for about 10 years now.
Nevell grew up in Fairfield, and moved to the Hawkesbury a decade ago, where she met McMahon, who has lived here since 1952.
Nevell said she used to be a competitive player, but now just enjoyed having a hit.
“I probably started playing in primary school. All my school friends had tennis courts, so that is where I started off,” she said.
McMahon had a similar start to her career.
“I learnt tennis at school and then I played until I got married. I had a large family and I've been back on and off ever since. I've loved it,” she said.
McMahon said she had never played competitively, but had always enjoyed the sport.
“I've never been a top player but I've always loved the game. At my age it is good exercise and we play with a lovely bunch of girls,” she said.
“I'm not very competitive really and I just enjoy the social tennis.”
Nevell said she too was now a social player.
“I think we're both social players now. I have a few trophies at home that I won during competition,” she said.
A typical morning down at Richmond consists of about three hours of play. The ladies play doubles matches.
Both Nevell and McMahon said they never felt sore after their games, but did get a bit tired by the end of the match.
Despite their modest appraisal of their own ability, many of their fellow players said the pair were always the first to chase a ball that had gone off the court.
Nevell summed up their feelings about the weekly meeting.
“I look forward to the company and the exercise, and being out in the fresh air,” she said.
