by Marion Colbert

As a first-time Captain four years ago it wasn’t hard to become passionate about starting a team for the new USTA 60 Women’s League called “Super Seniors”. I saw them everywhere—attractive, well-groomed tennis playing fit and energetic women, involved in living and doing, pursuing hobbies, jobs, careers, or causes. It’s hard to tell their age; they are referred to as “older women”. Older than who? Older than what? This euphemism, like “women in their later years”, or “senior citizens” (opposed to junior citizens?) sounds apologetic.

Our city team called “Fun-d-Mentally Complex” formed from long-time friends who had played together and we began organized play as USTA Members while continuing to have fun socially. Over the last four years our team members, ages ranging from 60-78, comprised of mostly retired women who were administrators, business owners, computer specialist, dog groomer, elected official, grandmas, lawyer, mental health advocate, photographer, secretary, teachers, and amateur athlete.

Now, I’d like to introduce you to the USTA Southwest Section 3.0 Women’s Super Senior Tennis Team the “OPALS” (same team new name) from the Lobo Tennis Club in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We are optimistic people with active life styles who have advanced to the USTA Southwest Section Super Senior League Championship held in Arizona four consecutive years. We played in the first games ever at Sectionals as Super Seniors in 2004 and in the three years thereafter. In 2006 we tied for first place with Marie Varela’s team from Southern Arizona who won on the tiebreak rule. In 2007 in Tucson our team (see photo) placed third overall and had a great time.

This year’s team was the best as far as overall attitudes and understanding of the importance of improving by practicing and now everyone wants to get better by taking clinics again making the extra effort to improve by working harder and smarter.

For those senior woman who are late tennis bloomers or long-time rated USTA member players, the USTA Super Senior Division at all levels of league play offers opportunity for women to continue to seek, to grow, to achieve by working hard on their game at age 60, 70, and yes 80 on the courts and in tournaments wherever they live!

Marion Colbert, Opals Team Captain Albuquerque, New Mexico May 2007