AS great-grandfathers go, this 93-year-old is pretty special.
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic could learn a thing or two from Gordon Burdfield, possibly the oldest tennis player in Hampshire and in the world.
Mr Burdfield took up the sport aged 13 in 1935 and still plays three times a week at Virgin Active’s Hampshire Health and Racquets Club in Southampton, where he has been a member for 21 years.
He said the secrets to his exploits are a healthy diet and frequent exercise – although he still enjoys a glass of wine in the evening.
Mr Burdfield said: “I’m a great believer in exercise, and I tell everyone, regardless of their age to just keep moving.
"If I’m not doing anything else I go out for a walk, and if no-one’s looking I break into a jog between lamp posts. I believe in the maxim of eat less and live longer.”
And sporting success may run in the family as Mr Burdfield is the grandfather of Melanie Slade and great-grandfather to her son Finley with husband and ex-Saints and England football star Theo Walcott.
Theo and Melanie Walcott.
Off the court, Mr Burdfield, a retired office worker, has four children, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
He also enjoys keeping fit with aerobics classes and going for long walks in the park.
Gordon aged 13.
His 80-year tennis career was only paused during the Second World War when he joined the navy in 1939 aged 17 while he has even played at Wimbledon in the over-80s competition in 2003 aged 81.
Mark Jackson, racquets manager at Virgin Active Hampshire, pictured above with Gordon, said: “Gordon has been a loyal member since we opened back in 1994, and is hugely respected by everyone. He is our oldest member at Virgin Active Hampshire, so is a bit of a local legend.”
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