At an astounding age of 100, Australian veteran Henry Young has etched his name in the annals of sporting history by becoming the first centenarian to compete at the prestigious ITF Masters World Individual Championships. Hailing from Adelaide, this World War II fighter pilot celebrated his 100th birthday last month, marking a remarkable journey of life and sport.

Currently, Young finds himself in Spain at the 2023 ITF Masters World Individual Championships on the picturesque island of Mallorca, where the world’s finest players aged 65 and above have converged to showcase their enduring passion for the game.

Young shared his feelings on this unprecedented achievement: “It’s nice to be the first. It’s something that nobody can ever take away from me.” This historic feat in the 90+ category is a testament to his indomitable spirit.

Young’s impressive performance in the opening round of the men’s singles competition added to his remarkable journey. He secured a resounding 6-2, 6-3 victory against a formidable opponent, 95-year-old Spaniard Mateo Camps Simon. His next challenge will be against the third-seeded Brit Gordon Oates, aged 91, as he continues to defy age barriers.

Notably, Young is not limiting himself to singles. He’s also participating in the men’s doubles event alongside 89-year-old German Gerhard Walkerling, emphasizing his love for the game. When asked about his motivation, Young candidly responded, “I want to enjoy myself, and I love tennis, that’s why I play.”

Having returned to the ITF Masters Individual World Championships for the first time since 2012, Young remains a symbol of enduring passion and dedication. Despite a decade away from international competitions, he continues to play tennis up to four times a week in Adelaide.

Young’s journey was further celebrated at the Australian Open 2023 during a Tennis Plays for Peace exhibition match. Here, he faced 99-year-old Ukrainian Leonid Stanislavskyi in a ‘Battle of the Centurions,’ underlining his commitment to the sport.

In his own words, Young, with a twinkle in his eye, said, “I’ve got two new knees, a new hip, a pacemaker, hearing aids, two new noses, and I’m still playing and enjoying it.” His unwavering spirit and dedication to the sport inspire many.

For this remarkable centenarian, the future holds more games, more victories, and the joy of competition. As he playfully put it, “I’ll keep playing until I start embarrassing my doubles partners. I think I’ve got a few years left in me yet.”

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Photo Courtesy Tennis Australia

Courtesy Tennis Australia