WIELDING an old wooden tennis racquet feels more like you’re swinging an axe, according to a veteran of the game.

Roy Scholz, 77, joined in on Saturday night to help Albury Tennis Association launch celebrations for its 100th Easter Tennis tournament.

Players donned period uniforms, acquired from second-hand shops and local players, to recreate the original tournament staged on Albury Sportsground oval between 1910 and 1940.

A makeshift court was drawn up on the Tigers homeground, which once hosted sixteen grass courts to cater for regular play and the annual tennis extravaganza.

Mr Scholz said it was a fitting return to the original home of tennis on the Border and described playing with the old equipment as a “real experience”.

“It feels like you’re swinging around an axe because it’s got a heavy body and a small head,” he said.

“The players these days don’t know how easy they have it.”

Margaret Court Cup players joined in on the celebrations where about 100 spectators watched the game while enjoying a barbecue and listening to history and commentary.

The association’s Sandra Rouvray helped make the celebration possible, which is also set to include a celebratory dinner at the Commercial Club on Saturday, April 18.

Former Davis Cup players Rex Hartwig and Allan Stone, also a TV commentator, have accepted the invite.