When Jean Murray took up tennis again after her children had grown up, she did so because she "didn't like the look of bowls", she says.
The decision to get back into the sport that she first started playing at age 11 was clearly a good one.
The sprightly 81-year-old,who has made a name for herself on the super-seniors circuit, is defending her age group doubles title at the World Super-Senior Tennis Championships in Croatia this month.
Jean, partnered by Elaine Stephan, won her age group doubles in Turkey last year. And while she's uncertain of their chances of making it two in a row, she'll give it her best shot.
Asked if playing tennis was a good way to see the world, a fiercely competitive Jean was emphatic she is there for the tennis first and foremost.
While this will be Jean's sixth World Super-Senior Tennis champs, it is a first for Michael Wallis.
Michael, 71, won the 70-plus age group singles title at nationals in Tauranga earlier this year. It was then that he was asked if he would represent New Zealand at the world champs in Croatia. Michael is keen to experience playing tennis at the top level and he reckons his fitness is up to the challenge.
"I reckon I'm playing as well as when I was a teenager. I'm just a bit slower round the court," he says.
