At 79 years old, tennis player Gail Falkenberg is still competing on the professional circuit with the goal of securing one more match victory before her 80th birthday in January. Falkenberg recently played in an ITF W35 qualifying match in Orlando, losing to 19-year-old Aspen Schuman, a highly ranked collegiate player, by a score of 6-0, 6-0.

"I'd like to win another one before I hang it up," Falkenberg told The Post. She emphasized that as long as she remains healthy, she will continue to play. Falkenberg acknowledged the high level of competition, stating, "I need to work on just competing and practicing with players as good as the ones that are out there."

In 2016, Falkenberg achieved a significant milestone when she became the oldest match winner on the ITF circuit at 69 years old, defeating a 22-year-old opponent. This victory led to widespread media attention, including interviews with The Wall Street Journal and appearances on podcasts and The Tennis Channel.

Falkenberg, who is self-taught, played collegiately at UCLA from 1964 to 1970, participating in both the women's tennis and basketball teams. After a career in filmmaking, she returned to tennis and pursued a professional career around age 35. She funded her own professional play for five years, during which she won a USTA National Public Parks Open championship in 1983 and a qualifying match at the 1988 Australian Open. In 1987, she reached a WTA ranking of 360.

After exhausting her funds for professional play, Falkenberg transitioned to coaching. She led the University of Central Florida's women's and men's tennis teams from 1991 to 1999, also serving as interim head coach for the women's basketball team for one season. She retired as the women's tennis program's winningest head coach.

Currently, Falkenberg coaches at Stone Creek Tennis Center in Ocala, Florida. She balances coaching with her own training and competition, which she says helps her stay connected with the current level of play and the younger generation of players. She recently experienced the use of electronic line calling during her match against Schuman.

Falkenberg's unconventional style, including an underhand serve and a deceptive forehand slice, has inspired many people. She often receives letters and calls from individuals who are motivated by her dedication and longevity in the sport, highlighting that age is not a barrier to pursuing athletic goals.