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Billiards 28 | Four Seasons Hemet Herald | SEPTEMBER 2019 | Tennis Friends Hank Alberts proves it's never too late to learn a new sport. A versatile athlete, Hank didn't start playing tennis until he was 69. Now at 81, age doesn't seem to be a factor as the octogenarian tears up the courts chasing down ground strokes, lobs and drop shots. Known as a veritable backboard, Hank doesn't let too many shots get pass him. In July, Hank and fellow tennis player, Paul Barr, 76, celebrated their birthdays with an array of tennis friends at El Patron Mexican restaurant. Hank and Paul plan to team up and play men's doubles at the Old Olympics in October at Valley-Wide tennis center. In past years, they've both won medals at the annual event. Fast on his feet, Hank ran track in high-school. "I haven't slowed down since," he quipped. "What I lack in ability, I make up for in effort." An avid softball player, Hank still competes on senior teams that have won national titles in age brackets, 55 up to 80. An all- around athlete, Hank credits the hand-eye coordination he developed playing a variety of sports throughout the years to his consistency and shot anticipation on the courts. A true inspiration, Hank has the energy, mobility and flexibility of someone half his age. Unlike Hank, Paul has been playing tennis since he was a freshman in high school, and noted that he enjoys social tennis more than competitive play. "Tennis has always been for me an enjoyable recreational sport that you can play anywhere," he said. Paul, noted for his crafty shots, recalled one of his most memorable matches. His claim to tennis fame happened in San Antonio in the 1980s, when he inadvertently disrupted Steffi Graf 's pro match. He and his opponent, while playing on a court above Graf 's, accidentally hit balls onto the center court causing the pro women to stop play, Paul laughingly recalled. An avid singles player, Paul didn't play doubles until he moved to the Four Seasons in 2010. He immediately joined the tennis group and hasn't stop playing since. Hank and Paul enjoy the camaraderie of Tennis Friends and the challenge of playing with both men and women at different levels of play. Paul noted that it's a "fun, friendly group." The key is to play your game, yet be able to adapt to other players' games, he said. Hank noted that he just tries to play a "very consistent" game and looks for his opponents to make the mistakes. "My ambition is to stay on the courts as long and as far as my legs will take me." Tennis hours are: Women's begin at 8 am, Monday and Friday; Men's begin at 8 am, Tuesday and Thursday; Mixed –up doubles begins at 8 am, Saturday. We extend this invitation to join our pool league, which plays Tuesdays, starting early October, usually 10 am until 1pm. We also get together with beginners and "rusty" players on Mondays at 3 pm. A group plays Wednesdays at 3 pm for a "handicapped" tournament that helps players get competitive. On Fridays we play a very competitive tournament for those that are serious players. For information contact Ron Cordero at (909) 519-9095 or Ed Sanders at (951) 567- 0959. Hank Alberts, left, and Paul Barr pose by their birthday cake decorated as a tennis court Hank Alberts practices his back- hand during a men's doubles match Paul Barr practices his forehand during a mixed doubles match

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