How’s this for an inspiring story: Nola Collins was nearly 50 when she started playing competitive tennis. Today, the Queenslander has won more than 30 seniors tennis titles and is ranked world number three in her age division – all while battling liver cancer for the past seven years.
While her cancer treatment limits her travel to just five weeks a year, she still enjoys heading off on the International Tennis Federation’s seniors tour.
“It’s wonderful. I’ve made many, many friends over the years locally, Australia-wide and internationally. I think that’s the best part of it – to meet up with people that you don’t see from year-to-year,” she told the ABC.
Coach, mentor and hitting partner is husband George, who says the sport forces Mrs Collins to move around and not feel sorry for herself.
“She’s up and going all the time. [It’s a] bit hard for me to keep up with her at times – in fact most times.”
And he predicts she still has more years on the court. “Her competitive nature keeps her going,” he said.
We’re sure she will.
