Battle of the Centurions: Henry Young, 99, to take on ‘world’s oldest tennis player’ at Australian Open

Henry Young, 99, and his Ukrainian counterpart Leonid Stanislavskyi, 98, made history at the Australian Open - with some very special guests.

One of the worlds oldest tennis players, Henry Young, 99, on court at the Adelaide International event. Picture: Tom Huntley

SA tennis nut Henry Young, 99, and his Ukrainian counterpart Leonid Stanislavskyi, 98, have made history as the world’s oldest players, playing a doubles match at Rod Laver Arena alongside greats of the game.

Mr Young and Mr Stanislyavskyi took part in a “Clash of the Centurions” as part of the Australian Open’s ‘Tennis Plays for Peace’ charity spectacular on Wednesday.

The event raised funds to support the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine - with Mr Stanislavskyi, a refugee from Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, the star of the show.

Mr Young said it was “a revelation” to meet his Ukrainian fellow.

“It must be his tennis that keeps him strong, I love him,” he said.

A WWII veteran and former farmer from Keith, Mr Young sent a video to the Ukrainian embassy last year, after learning Mr Stanislavskyi had been honoured by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s oldest player.

Mr Young was born on September 26, 1923, a full six months before Mr Stanislavskyi.

The pair had a hit against world no. 13, German star Alexander ‘Sascha’ Zverev, and American Frances Tiafoe, with Mr Young even snagging a few points in the face-off.

German tennis star Alexander Zverev meets tennis players Leonid Stanislavskyi of Ukraine (L) and Henry Young of Australia (R) during the Tennis Plays For Peace event. Photo: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Leonid and Henry stood alongside some of tennis’ biggest stars at the event. Photo: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

“It was wonderful, I was able to hit a few balls past him - I’ll always remember that because Sascha stood back and smiled. I’ll always treasure it,” Mr Young said.

Event convener and friend Geoffrey Reed said “the crowd went nuts” when the centurion duo hit the court.

“Everyone was screaming when Henry knocked off a few shots,” Mr Reed said.

Mr Young and Mr Stanislyavskyi were among a star-studded lineup, including world no. 1 and 2 Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, Coco Gauff, Maria Sakkari and Australian Alex de Minaur.

“It was a wonderful atmosphere to have all the stars together, I spoke to them individually as friends - of tennis and of our love for the game,” Mr Young said.

While the 99-year-old has a self-proclaimed competitive streak, the humble Adelaidian said he had no intention of ever claiming Mr Stanislavskyi’s ‘world’s oldest tennis player’ title.

“What I’d like to think is that we can say that we’re the best, oldest tennis players in the world as a doubles – and we may not be, but we’ll challenge the world and if nobody challenges us, then we are,” Mr Young said.

“It’s every tennis player’s dream to play at the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena and I’ve done it ... Eureka.”

Henry Young, 99, on court with tennis coach Darren Cahill at the Adelaide International event. Picture: Tom Huntley

Mr Young put up a fight against world No. 15 Jannik Sinner – and even won the last point. Picture: Tom Huntley

Last week, Mr Young had a hit against 21-year-old Italian rising star Jannik Sinner at the Adelaide International - coached on the sidelines by Australian tennis great Darren Cahill.

As a long-time member of the Memorial Drive Tennis Club, Mr Young had the home court advantage and managed to clinch the final point while many of his three sons, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren watched on.

Adelaide International tournament director Alistair MacDonald said Mr Young’s spritely skills had impressed all the tennis stars watching on – but particularly the centenarian’s new coach.

“Darren (Cahill) said he’s going to take that as the fourth world No. 1 that he’s coached, given Henry could soon be No. 1 in his age group,” Mr MacDonald said.

A former shearer from Keith, Mr Young played when he could while working on the land – but it wasn’t until he retired at 70 that he started playing up to four times a week.

Proud family and friends cheered on the centenarian at Rod Laver Arena next week. Picture: Tom Huntley

Leonid Stanislavskyi, the ‘world’s oldest tennis player’, even had a hit against Rafael Nadal in 2021.

“When you’re young you dream. I dreamed of playing professionally and then I realised it wasn’t for me – but now that I’m old, I can play whenever I like and wherever I like and I love it,” he said.

Accompanied by former professional British tennis player Dan Lobb, Mr Stanislavskyi will travel to Adelaide next week, where the Ukrainian Cultural Centre will host a special barbecue to celebrate his arrival.