Hi Tup, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi Valerie, thank you for interviewing me for your blog.
I retired as a local GP after 40 years in the NHS but sadly during this period I didn’t have time to get started playing tennis as life was too busy. My childhood was spent in war torn Burma where my father stayed on as a British army surgeon, but schooling was boarding in Darjeeling, India, at 7000 feet; there were 2 tennis courts another 200 feet higher which was a big disincentive to playing.
I, as my grandson aged 4 says “am as old as the hills”, married with 3 children scattered along the M25 in Surrey and Kent, so Saturdays are often spent on the M25 car park. Since retiring, I volunteer at our local library and as a non exec Director with a local Charity.
How long have you been playing tennis at Leverstock Green Tennis Club?
I started lessons about 12 years ago with Scott Paxton who was a LGLTC coach, before joining the club when I felt confident enough to play with the Monday Social group and I haven’t looked back!
How did you get into tennis in the first place?
School holidays were 3 months long as we lived 900 miles away from school so my brother and I filled the days at a local club where we were only allowed to play early mornings when a court was empty. Unfortunately 2 don’t make a playable cricket or football team! Radio was our contact with the wider world and I started to follow the Australians who seemed to dominate tennis.
The tennis courts where Tup played in Darjeeling, India, with the Kanchenjunga mountain in the background
What activities do you take part in at the tennis club?
I play in the Box League and tournaments, and for a time I helped out with Junior Tennis, both at the club and at the local primary school as I had DBS clearance.
What is your favourite event at the tennis club?
We have a group of 4 or 5 retirees who play regularly on a Tuesday morning, come rain or shine, except if snow obscures the lines! Also, the Box League, playing with Matt through the year.
What benefits do you think you get from playing tennis regularly?
I do believe exercise is key to good health and tennis provides plenty of that, in convivial company; it’s a mixture of sprints, balance and co-ordination. Unfortunately injuries are a fact of life in most sports but tennis & fresh air do provide that extra social element to enhance mental health, and I don’t know of any amateur or professional players with dementia, unlike that seen with some footballers; my waking pulse rate averages 55 per minute and blood pressure on the lower side of normal, so I hope tennis continues to add life to my years. An added benefit is that you can play over many decades.
What do you like best about Leverstock Green Tennis Club?
I like the mix of social play on Sundays and the coaching sessions on Mondays & Fridays; American style tournaments are geared so that any player can end up winning.
Do you have a favourite pro tennis player?
Ken Rosewall, as I first came across him 60 years ago and we have 2 things in common – 1.70 meters and his one-handed backhand, which he usually played with backspin, rated as one of the greatest backhands, and which I try to emulate!
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you on a tennis court?
We have quite a laugh on a Tuesday morning; also, on one occasion when Molly and I were playing another club, I ran for the ball but she being younger thought she ‘d get there first and we crashed into each other without hitting the ball.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about taking up tennis but is hesitant?
Give it a go! As so many of us were quite embarrassing to start with, we are all pretty patient with beginners; and in no time, you will be ready to join the intermediate group coaching sessions which I highly recommend.
Tup’s 60-year old Dunlop wooden racket, with press to prevent warping in humidity. Warp would reduce ball speed to MINUS Warp factor 5
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