Forty-three years ago Pauline Nicholson picked up a tennis racket for the first time at the Parkes Tennis Club in the New South Wales central west.
Now the 83-year-old great-grandmother is joined by three generations, including her five-year-old great-grandchild Ivey.
The family has become a feature of the regional town's tennis club.
"It is a great atmosphere to be playing with the family for the day every week, and to see the little granddaughter playing is very good," Ms Nicholson said.
"I really enjoy it. I'll play as long as I can."
Building a family connection
For grandmother Leanne Miles, tennis has become an integral part of family life.
"We play together as much as we can, we definitely play Christmas Day, that is our thing. Anyone who comes into our family has to pick up a racket whether they like it or not," she said.
"It is that family connection that we have had forever. I met my husband playing tennis and we have ingrained it into our kids to be able to come together and do it as a family."
According to mum Courtney Rawzil, the competitive Christmas games have been crucial to inspiring the next generation of players.
"We do love it but Nan would probably still beat me. We are all very stubborn and like a win, so we don't take it easy on Nan," Ms Rawzil said.
"That's where Ivey learnt, she started out at my aunty's at Christmas on the tennis court and she loved it."
Bringing communities together
Data from the Australian Sports Commission found 1 million Australians played tennis in 2022.
Ms Miles says the sport is a crucial social activity for people in regional communities, particularly during the drought and pandemic.
"I think being able to connect with the community as well as the family, you come together for some exercise which is great for your mental health, it is just so important," she said.
Parkes Tennis Club president Helen McGill said local sport has grown in importance in recent years.
"Tennis galvanises a community on so many levels, it is just so nice to have a good social sport that people can come and play as a family," Ms McGill said.
Many rural towns have lost their local facilities in recent years, according to Ms McGill.
"There have been a lot of little courts on farms or little villages and a lot of those have unfortunately gone by the wayside.
"To have a centre here with 15 courts where people can come is so important for a town like Parkes."
Ms McGill said for the older generations like Pauline Nicholson, tennis provided the perfect opportunity for social interaction during retirement.
"It is a sport of life, it doesn't matter how old you are you can pick up a racket," she said.
"You don't have to be the next Ash Barty but you just need enough skills to be competent to enjoy the social side of things."
