Lessons in Mobility: Wisdom from the World Championships
Kathy Settles
I recently spent a week in Bol, Croatia, serving as the USTA representative at the ITF Masters World Team Championships for the 75s, 80s, and 85s. Officially, it was “work.” In reality? Pure joy—sunshine, red clay, and some of the most inspiring athletes on the planet.
My duties were simple: cheer, hydrate, photograph, celebrate, and occasionally dash up and down hilly roads armed with protein bars, electrolytes, and band-aids. But what struck me most was how well these players move. On slow red clay, where the drop shot rules, mobility isn’t just helpful—it’s survival. So I asked our USA women for their secrets to staying quick, strong, and upright when chasing balls that bounce like tricksters. Here’s what they shared:
Be Intentional – Discipline and consistency win. “It’s all about discipline and commitment,” says Donna Fales, who starts every day with 30–40 minutes of stretching. Add in Pilates and core work, and she’s proof that mobility is a daily investment. Susanne Clark puts it this way: “I treat my body like an expensive car.” Regular maintenance, she says, keeps everything running smoothly—and prevents costly breakdowns later.
Stretch and Stroll – Roz King walks briskly 1–2 miles several times a week and stretches daily—starting with her feet before she’s even finished her first cup of coffee.
Strength and Balance – Carolann Castell focuses on her “major movers,” making sure strength and balance exercises are a regular part of her routine.
Surround Yourself with Energy – Spend time with people who are young—or act young. It’s contagious. Choose the stairs over the elevator, and hang out with those who do the same.
Stay Curious – The best players love to learn. Whether it’s refining your backhand or picking up a new hobby, stay curious. The brain is a muscle too.
Never Stop Moving – Newton was onto something: “A body in motion stays in motion.” Walk, bike, dance, garden or play tennis. Sue Kimball says, “I don’t feel as I imagined I would at 80. I refuse to believe that I cannot do everything that I have done throughout my life (largely true)”. Inactivity is the enemy.
None of this is revolutionary—but it’s the secret sauce that keeps these women sprinting after drop shots and grinning about it. Build the habits early, keep the mindset young, and one day you’ll still be running down lobs in your eighties—probably to your opponent’s disbelief.