Champion Spotlight: Robert Quall

Get to Know Robert Quall. The 2024 Champion of 4 Level 1 National Tournaments in the Men’s 85 & Over Singles divisions, including indoor, clay court, grass court and hardcourt.

Q: When did you start playing tennis?

A: I started playing tennis when I was 12. My father was an avid player and would play good teams and be competitive by making me go up to the net and stay in the alley! I knew I would get a chance to hit the ball every 4th game! I actually played only in the summer as my high school years were in Spokane which had short summers and basketball was my favorite sport. I was fortunate enough to play college basketball and at 5 foot 7 that was a real chore. 

Q: How often do you play?

A: I play five tournaments in my age division and a few grandfather tournaments. I have played grandfather and grandson with three grandsons resulting in one grandson getting a gold ball.

Q: Do you have a favorite tournament? Why is it a favorite?

A: I actually enjoy all of the tournament sites and the directors and supporting staff, who are professional and very friendly. I see the same staff for five years which gives a player a comfortable feeling.

Q: Can you tell us a memorable experience that you had in tennis?

A: Probably my most memorable match was defeating Rudy Hernando, a ten year competitor in the US Open, at the Indoors in Houston my first year in the 75s.

Q: Do your family members play tennis?

A: My wife Sheila and I have 3 children: Matt, Heather and Lisa all play tennis and Matt and Heather played 4 years at Yale and Cornell. All seven grandchildren play and all have played on teams except for the 2 grandchildren not yet in high school. 

Q: Do you have a favorite vacation spot?

A: My wife Sheila and I find our vacation is directing medical missions in Kenya. We are currently planning our 20th medical mission for December of next year with 40 friends. Some Masai Warriors still have 20 used racquets, great serves but no net game! Probably should get them another net!

Q: What advice would you give to tournament players?

A: Being 85 I especially like the study of aging that projects 10 more years on this earth for men that play tennis and compete in tournaments, the theory being that socialization and competition is the key. After 18 years of senior competition several truths become evident, like all of us like to win but winning a tournament is least important. Your family loves you but sometimes forgets to ask if you won, your friends are happy you won and then talk about the Cardinals etc. We seniors play not for recognition but for the love of the game. We do like to win and compete but the friendships made throughout the years are what makes playing Senior tennis special to me. No one outside of my family knows that a gold ball actually looks like a marble and while awards are appreciated, the love of the game of tennis is what keeps me playing almost every day. Even today I am tweaking the strings of my racket to get better - it must be the racket not me getting older! 72 years of tennis and I wouldn’t change a thing! Well maybe my doubles partner!