At the age of 96, Sylvia Turner has decided to hang up her tennis racquet after more than 45 years of playing regularly at Charmhaven Tennis Courts.
Her friends from the Charmhaven Ladies Tennis Group said the “lovely, elegant and graceful lady” would be missed on the courts, although she would stay involved as an umpire.
“Sylvia moved to the Central Coast at the age of 50 with her husband and son,” a spokesperson said.
“After settling into the area, she thought she would try her hand at tennis.
“Well, that was a great idea – but not for the opponents.
“She’s played so well that she was entered in competition tennis on the Central Coast and played extremely well there.
“It’s hard not to improve your game while playing against her or with her as a partner; you automatically learn how to be a better tennis player.
“It’s such a privilege to play on the court with her.
“Now she’s 96 years young and has decided to retire from playing tennis, although I don’t know why because she still can ace you big time.”
Members of the group say Sylvia is “always there with a good conversation in between games when we have a break, with a lovely smile and some helpful hints, whether it be about gardening, tennis or chatting us about how much fun she’s had with some of her other long-time friends on their monthly luncheons”.