Nonagenarian Tennis Duo Defies Age at Cahors Club
Two 90-year-old men, Maxime Samouillan and Claude Gérard, continue their regular tennis routine at the Tennis-Club de Cahors, a practice they credit for their sustained vitality and sharp minds.
The pair, who have been playing doubles together for a decade, maintain a strict schedule of training every Monday and Thursday morning. Their commitment is so firm that club president Jean-Michel Inesta describes these sessions as “indéboulonnables,” or unshakeable. Samouillan, who is five months older than his friend, has been playing at the Cahors courts for 40 years, while Gérard has been a member for 25 years.
A Club’s Most Senior Members
Despite being the club’s most senior members by a significant margin—Cahors Tennis-Club boasts over 500 licentiates—the two men move with an assured demeanor and possess a sharp wit that belies their age.
“It’s hard to believe they are 90,” Gérard’s daughter, Anne, told the club. “He impresses me, but it doesn’t surprise me because he has always been athletic.” Their athletic backgrounds extend beyond tennis; Gérard enjoyed sailing and basketball, while Samouillan participated in equestrian sports and cycling. “Given my build, it was better for me to play tennis than rugby,” Gérard joked.
The Social and Cognitive Benefits of Tennis
“Seven or eight years ago, we had partners from Germany, England, and Sweden,” Gérard said. “Without tennis, we would never have met them.”
Club president Inesta is convinced that tennis is a key contributor to the nonagenarians’ remarkable health. He highlighted the sport’s unique combination of physical and mental stimulation. “It is one of the few sports where you work on motor skills and cognitive aspects equally,” Inesta explained. “When you play, you have to think about the shot you want to make, consider the score. You work your mind a lot.”
Inesta also pointed to the club’s clay courts, which are softer on the joints, as a factor allowing the pair to continue playing for so long. “Clay courts are more flexible and do not hurt the joints,” he said. “This allows you to play for longer.”
Tennis Extends Life Expectancy
Inesta referenced two studies that demonstrate tennis can increase life expectancy. While the specific studies were not named in the report, the link between regular physical activity and longer, healthier life is well-established in medical science.
The duo acknowledges physical limitations, particularly with certain shots. “The shot I like the least is the drop shot,” Gérard admitted. “At my age, it’s difficult to recover.” However, their competitive days are behind them. “We stopped competing a long time ago,” Gérard clarified. “Now, it’s for leisure. Our tournaments are now belote card games.”
"We could play until we are 100 years old," Gérard insisted, echoing a sentiment that shows their unwavering commitment to the sport that has defined so much of their lives. Their next scheduled training session is this coming Monday morning at the Tennis-Club de Cahors.
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