How Competing in My 60s Changed My Perspective on Aging
When I was younger, I thought people in their 50s were old. I mean, retirement, shuffleboard, and those orthopedic shoes seemed like the natural evolution of life after a certain age, right? But here I am, well into my 60s, and not only do I not feel old, but I’ve also discovered a drive, a passion, and a competitive spirit that I didn’t even know I had. And I owe it all to tennis.
Competing in my 60s has completely reshaped how I view aging. It’s given me a reason to improve myself, both mentally and physically. It’s rekindled a fire I thought had been long extinguished. And perhaps most importantly, it’s shown me that life doesn’t slow down after a certain age—it’s just waiting for you to pick up a racquet and hit the court.
A New Purpose: It’s About Me Now (But in a Good Way)
When I was younger, my goals revolved around two things: family and career. Everything I did was about providing for my family, building my business, and making sure my kids had a good start in life. And let me be clear—I wouldn’t trade those years for anything. But now, my kids are grown, my career is transitioning into something newt, and suddenly, I have this thing that I hadn’t had in decades: time.
Time to focus on myself. Time to ask, “What do I want to do?” And the answer, as it turned out, was tennis.
Tennis has given me a reason to work on myself in ways I never imagined. It’s not just about winning matches (although I won’t lie—it feels pretty great when I do). It’s about the process. Improving my fitness, sharpening my mental focus, setting goals, and seeing just how far I can push myself at this stage of my life. It’s self-improvement with a competitive twist, and it’s been nothing short of transformative.
But as much as I’m focusing on myself, I’m also more mindful of the relationship I have with my wife of 34 years. She still works, but in five years, when she retires, we’ll have the chance to travel the world together—maybe even with some tennis sprinkled into our adventures. Just the thought of combining our love for exploring new places with my passion for tennis makes me even more excited about the future.
Rekindling the Competitive Spirit
I was never a particularly competitive person growing up. Sure, I played sports here and there, but I was more of a “let’s have fun and maybe grab a pizza after” kind of guy. Somewhere along the way, I convinced myself that I didn’t have the drive to push myself to be better at anything athletic.
But then, in my 60s, something strange happened: I entered my first senior tennis tournament. And let me tell you—standing on that court, with the pressure of a match and the chance to prove myself, something inside me woke up.
Suddenly, I wanted to win. I wanted to see if I could hit that perfect forehand, if I could hold serve when it really mattered, if I could outlast my opponent in a long rally. Competing flipped a switch in my brain. It wasn’t just about the results—it was about the challenge.
That competitive spirit has carried over into the rest of my life, too. Whether it’s trying to improve my fitness, working on my mental game, or even small day-to-day tasks, I’ve found myself approaching things with a new kind of determination. Tennis didn’t just rekindle my competitive side—it showed me that I had one all along.
Rethinking What “Old” Looks Like
When I think back to previous generations, I remember my grandparents at my age. In my mind, they were old. They moved slower, they didn’t do much physical activity, and they seemed, well, resigned to that phase of life. That’s just how it was back then—people in their 50s and 60s were considered “past their prime.”
But now? Now I step onto the court and see players in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s hitting balls with precision, speed, and agility. These aren’t people who are slowing down—they’re thriving. Competing in my 60s has introduced me to a whole community of senior athletes who are rewriting the narrative of what aging looks like.
These are people who inspire me every single day. They’re proof that life doesn’t have to slow down just because you’ve hit a certain age. In fact, they’ve shown me that staying active, setting goals, and pushing yourself might just be the secret to staying young.
Tennis: The Ultimate Self-Improvement Tool
What I love most about tennis is how many ways it challenges you to improve. It’s not just about hitting a ball back and forth—it’s about strategy, endurance, focus, and adaptability. Every match teaches you something new, whether it’s about your technique, your mindset, or your ability to stay calm under pressure.
For me, tennis has become the ultimate tool for self-improvement. Want to improve your fitness? Get on the court and chase down some drop shots. Want to sharpen your focus? Try staying in the moment during a long rally. Want to build mental toughness? Play a tiebreaker when your legs are screaming, and your opponent doesn’t seem to miss.
Tennis teaches you to be better—not just as a player, but as a person. It pushes you to work harder, think smarter, and keep going even when it feels like you’ve got nothing left in the tank. And isn’t that what life is about, too?
Aging, But Thriving
If there’s one thing competing in my 60s has taught me, it’s that aging isn’t a limitation—it’s an opportunity. It’s a chance to focus on yourself, to rediscover passions you thought were long gone, and to prove to yourself that you’re capable of more than you ever imagined.
Tennis has been my vehicle for that transformation, but I think the lesson applies to anything that gets you moving, thinking, and striving to be better. Whether it’s tennis, golf, pickleball, or something else entirely, the key is to find something that lights that fire inside you.
What About You?
Competing in my 60s has changed how I see myself, how I see aging, and how I see the possibilities for the years ahead. It’s given me purpose, drive, and a whole lot of fun along the way.
What about you? Has tennis—or any other activity—changed your perspective on aging? I’d love to hear your story. Drop a comment, share your journey, and let’s keep inspiring each other to be the best versions of ourselves—at any age.
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