THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One reason why K Krishna Pillai, a retired engineer, chose to settle down in Thiruvananthapuram in 1989 was his love for tennis. For the soft-spoken man who is a couple of years shy of being an octogenarian, the city offered the best place where he could continue to play his favourite game since college days.
A regular at the Trivandrum Tennis Club (TTC), the oldest Membership Tennis Club in the country, Krishna Pillai believes a set or two in the evening keeps him fit both mentally and physically. But, he is not one who plays tennis to while away his evenings. In fact, he travels around the state to play inter-club veterans game in various championships to win trophies for the club.
He has paired with Thomas Mathew, 75, and Sathish Kumar, 70, to win titles at Rama Varma Union Club in Kottayam, Mundakayam Club and TTC etc.
He does not consider himself as a power player. “I let the ball do the work,” he says. Along with his wife Vijaya Pillai, a tennis fan herself, the couple has gone to watch the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and the Wimbledon etc. Both are great fans of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic who they think looks similar to their grandson who is a doctor in USA.
TTC, which is usually buzzing with young players, is also a place for people like Pillai to continue their life-long passion. The club boasts of more than 16 active veteran players above 65.
“Tennis is a game for life. One can enjoy it regardless of the age,” says Sathish Kumar who retired as the managing director of Keltron. He plays in the morning after a walk at the club since 1974. Being fit, he also plays a set or two against young players.
Thomas Mathew, 75, too takes the game very seriously. He walks for five kms followed by half squats and yoga. “As one grows old, balance is very significant for the kind of movements required for tennis. There are 20 positions in yoga that helps increase flexibility and balance,” says Thomas Mathew, a retired teacher.
Another player Rama Iyer, 75, looks fit too.
A retired officer from Accountant General’s office, he is considered ‘vicious’ for his serves and agility. Radhakrishnan, 76, a retired professor from IIT Madras, is a worthy opponent to Iyer. Former Chief Secretary John Mathai (70) is also an active player in the mornings.
The club conducted the Trivandrum Tennis League 2016 which concluded on Sunday. Most of the veteran players mentioned above participated and pitted themselves against much younger players in their 30’s. “When lifestyle diseases are growing, the club offers bright spot,” says Anilkumar Pandala, a member of the club.
The club, as a social commitment, supports around 230 youngsters from financially-weaker society in training in tennis. TTC has four clay and five synthetic courts.