Henry Young might be your new role model if you’ve ever wondered what it takes to live a long, active, and joy-filled life.
At 101 years old, Henry isn’t just shuffling around the garden or reminiscing about his glory days—he’s out on the tennis court, competing with players decades his junior, and showing no signs of slowing down.
His secret? A dogged determination, a love of tennis, and, perhaps most surprisingly, a serious passion for iced coffee.
Defying expectations—one serve at a time
Henry Young is used to people asking him about the secret to his longevity. After all, it’s not every day you meet a centenarian who’s still smashing forehands and chasing down lobs.
But what really gets under his skin is the idea that his continued participation in sport is somehow miraculous or unattainable for others his age.
‘What bugs me is that people give up their tennis when they have some kind of injury,’ Henry says.
‘I’m a monument to the medical profession because I’ve had so many injuries and I just persevere, and then tennis repairs you.’
It’s a philosophy that flies in the face of the all-too-common belief that injury or age should spell the end of an active lifestyle.
Henry’s message is clear: don’t let a setback sideline you for good. If anything, he’s living proof that persistence pays off.
A lifetime of sport—and a late-blooming tennis career
Henry’s love affair with sport began in his school days, where tennis, rugby, and later squash (during his time as a fighter pilot in the New Zealand navy) kept him fit and focused.
But after World War II, life on the land in South Australia made tennis a rare treat—something to be enjoyed only a few times a year.
It wasn’t until he retired at 70 that tennis truly took centre stage. Driving past the Memorial Drive Tennis Club in Adelaide, he spotted a sign: ‘Good tennis players wanted.’
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Henry decided to give it a go. When asked if he belonged to a club, he cheekily invented the ‘Inglewood Tennis Club’—named after a neighbouring property where he’d played as a younger man.
The ruse worked, and soon enough, Henry was back on the court, this time for good.
Injuries? Just part of the game
If you think Henry’s journey has been free of setbacks, think again. ‘Two new knees, a new hip, pacemaker for my heart, hearing aids in one ear and a cochlear implant in the other and two broken noses,’ he rattles off.
‘You just can’t keep a good man down.’
For Henry, injuries are just another hurdle to overcome. He credits his resilience to a combination of medical advances and sheer willpower.
‘Tennis repairs you,’ he insists, and his story suggests he might be onto something.
Training for the world stage—at 101!
Now, with three decades of competitive tennis under his belt, Henry is preparing for the ITF Masters Championships in Croatia.
He plays three to four times a week, often with his friend and doubles partner Gerry Prideaux, and keeps up his strength with regular gym sessions at his retirement complex.
Recently, he’s added a rowing machine to his routine, set up by the window so he can enjoy the view of the Adelaide hills while he rows each morning.
Henry made history in 2023 as the first 100-year-old to play in the World Masters Individual Championships.
The age categories are finally catching up to him, too—he no longer has to compete against the ‘youngsters’ in their 80s, as more divisions for older players are being introduced.
‘I’m doing my little bit to persuade people to keep on trying, because we’re all living longer these days,’ he says.
The iced coffee factor
Of course, no story about Henry would be complete without mentioning his not-so-secret vice: iced coffee.
Specifically, three two-litre cartons of Farmers Union iced coffee every week. ‘I watch my diet, and part of my diet is that I drink three two-litre [cartons] of Farmers Union iced coffee every week,’ he says with a grin.
When he travels interstate, it’s the iced coffee he misses most.
Otherwise, Henry’s diet is balanced and unremarkable—meat, fish, vegetables, and plenty of nuts for snacking.
‘I make sure that I get that full variety,’ he says. But it’s the iced coffee that keeps him coming back for more.
The real secret: Keep moving, keep competing
While Henry’s love of iced coffee is endearing, his real advice for a long, healthy life is simple: keep playing. ‘I would encourage everybody to play tennis,’ he says.
‘In tennis, win or lose, you gain something. It’s very nice to be able to say to the man at the other end of the tennis court, ‘it was a good win, but you had to work for it’, and you both laugh.
They’re the ones that you remember, the games that you really had to fight for, and that’s competition… it’s good for you.’
Medical research backs him up—regular physical activity, especially sports that combine aerobic exercise, coordination, and social interaction, are linked to longer, healthier lives.
Tennis, in particular, has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, balance, and mental sharpness, all while fostering a sense of community.
Lessons for all of us
Henry Young’s story is a powerful reminder that age is just a number, and that the real secret to longevity might be as simple as staying active, staying social, and finding joy in the everyday—whether that’s a hard-fought tennis match or a cold glass of iced coffee.
So, what’s stopping you from picking up a racquet, dusting off your walking shoes, or trying something new? As Henry proves, it’s never too late to start—or to keep going.
Have you found a sport or activity that keeps you feeling young? Do you have your own ‘secret’ to staying active and happy as you age? We’d love to hear your stories and tips in the comments below!
Also read: Are you making this longevity-killing mistake? 102-year-old doctor shares the secret!
