Age is merely a state of mind for tennis enthusiast Betty Webster.

At 85, Mrs. Webster is the oldest active member in the Dundas Tennis Club's history.

And she's still a force to be reckoned with on the court.

"Betty's amazing," said Shirlie Eden, Mrs. Webster's doubles partner.

Last week, Mrs. Eden, 70, and Mrs. Webster were victorious in a one set match against competitors aged 44 and 50.

While she still likes to win, Mrs. Webster especially enjoys the camaraderie and exercise she gets from playing tennis.

"The community spirit in that club has only been positive," Mrs. Webster said.

She's passionate about the game and encourages others to join her on the court.

"All you need is a tin of tennis balls and a racquet," Mrs. Webster said. "You can go for an hour, two hours, or whatever you like."

Born in Paris, France, Mrs. Webster grew up in England and emigrated to Canada shortly after the Second World War.

She loved tennis as a child, but wartime turmoil forced her to stop playing for five years. After settling in the Dundas area, she joined the Dundas Tennis Club and has been making new friends ever since. She currently lives in Ancaster.

Most of Mrs. Webster's family plays tennis. Recently, her eight-year-old great grandson, Cooper, picked up a racquet and asked for lessons. His four-year-old brother, Quinn, also showed interest in the game.

"There's a legacy there that's wonderful," Mrs. Webster said.

Mrs. Webster also plays at the Ancaster Tennis Club and the Jewish Community Centre on Lower Lions Club Road. Over the past decade, she has spent six winters in Sarasota, Florida, honing her game at the Colony Beach and Tennis Resort. She played as a substitute when scheduled players couldn't attend their matches.

"I played every day, filling in. That really helped."

Mrs. Webster loves being outdoors in the warm weather. She doesn't like being cooped up inside during the long, cold winters.

"If I was the queen of Canada, I'd let all the older people out to the warmer weather," Mrs. Webster said.

She also enjoys performing with Theatre Ancaster. She played the role of Professor Henry Higgins' mother in a recent production of My Fair Lady.

"In both cases, you're sort of on stage, and that's where I'd like to be," Mrs. Webster said.

Forty years ago, Mrs. Webster beat breast cancer. Today she has arthritis in her left ankle, but doesn't let it slow her down.

"When I'm on the court, it's mind over matter," Mrs. Webster said. "I just keep moving."

Exercise has been a key to her longevity.

"If you do exercise, you don't feel tired," Mrs. Webster said. "You feel energized."

To make a point about her age, Mrs. Webster lays back on her couch and looks to the ceiling.

"If I thought about how old I am, this is how I'd be," she said. "You can be old when you're 25."

On July 11, Mrs. Webster was honoured for her service to the Dundas Tennis Club during a social event at the Dundas Driving Park.

About 15 years ago, she founded an event called Wimbledon at Dundas, a social evening where members dress in their tennis whites and enjoy strawberries and cream.