At 75 and over, Tennis players from La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin and Jargeau are entering the French interclub championship

Since they regularly dominate the regional warm-up round (they competed for the title again this season), it is a habit that the French seniors+ Tennis championship takes the men's teams from Jargeau and La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin into the his winter wanderings. Playing tennis remains for them, at the age of 75, sometimes one of the little pleasures of life.

Competition is not just an excuse to get together “among friends”. If there is no age to feel good on a court, there is also no age to get frustrated over a missed forehand, or a lack of velocity on a ball that is quicker than another one. The dirty grandpas also know how to curse, and even swear! We don’t remake ourselves; especially not, at 80 years old.

Due to a lack of adequate land, the Gergolians will cross the Loire (oh they won't go far, to Saint-Denis-de-l'Hôtel) also hoping to pass this first round. To do this, they will have to beat the Alsatians from Lampertheim, this Tuesday, January 21 from 9 a.m., in the best of two singles and a double, played in two sets and a 10-point decisive game, if necessary. “We have our chances,” says Luc Rigaudy, the president. “The guys are in great shape! »

The Chapellois, for their part, will try to return from Tarbes with a victory, in addition to a new bag of happy memories: leaving on Monday, they will return this Wednesday, after perhaps having made a detour through the Petits As tournament; the under-14 world championship. “Those are always good times. We're among friends! » Xavier Parey, who “almost only plays doubles – it's less traumatic”, betrays none of the secrets of travel. The president (for 23 years) of the Chapellois Tennis Club has just said, amused, that “we are leaving without the women”.

Training once or twice a week, doubles rather than singles

Obviously, happiness is in the aftermath as much as in the during: in the moments spent together, on the court and elsewhere. “We know each other by heart,” continues Xavier Parey. “With Jacques (Brun) and Lionel (Métout), we’ve been playing together for forty years. » The compositions change little. “In 75 years,” he laughs, “resources are quite limited! » The proof: the only one in his age category in his Saran club, Jean-Jacques Bouchon will lend a hand to Jargeau. “We started more than 65 years ago,” reflects Luc Rigaudy, before extending his thoughts: “It’s a great example of friendship and loyalty to the club.” When the times are more often about zapping, disciplines and associations…

Habits, with them, are anchored: in Jargeau, training brings together “around ten players every Tuesday. The two strongest also meet on Monday. At the same time,” adds Luc Rigaudy, “some go to the gym. »

“Depending on everyone’s availability, we play doubles once or twice a week,” explains Xavier Parey. “Jacques (Brun, 15/3 not long ago), trains twice in singles, including one with Dominique (Terrier). And he plays golf regularly. » Sport, for everyone, is health. And to play is to preserve it.