TENNIS: Age has not stopped Bunbury tennis player John Cartledge from achieving accolades on a national level.
At 80 years of age, Cartledge has just returned from the Australian Seniors Tennis Championships in Canberra having picked up second place in both the men’s singles and the men’s doubles.
After a solid display in the early matches of the tournament, Cartledge made it to the final where he played against Australian number one for the 80 and over age group John O’Brien.
Cartledge eventually fell in a tie-breaker but said he felt elated simply making it to the final.
“It was good to keep going throughout the entire tournament and not fall by the wayside,” he said.
“I usually head over in part of the team events and it was good to succeed in something a little different this year.”
Cartledge started playing tennis as a junior and began coaching at South West clubs years later.
“I’ve been playing and coaching for most of my life – I really enjoy seeing the young players grow and learn the sport,” he said.
“Coaching has always been a hobby of mine and I’m still helping out the Bunbury kids today.”
Throughout his years as a coach Cartledge had a number of star pupils, including Jaymon Crabb who went on to play in numerous grand slams.
Cartledge coached Crabb in his early days before the pupil was mentored by state and national coaches.
“It’s good to see the young kids go on to bigger and better things,” he said.
Cartledge has no plans of slowing down and will be ready for the national championships come 2016.
