Martina Navratilova, Jim Courier, Pat Cash and Henri Leconte - the proof that senior service satisfies!

Martina Navratilova showed the world that there is life for tennis players after their early 30s.  The icon of women's tennis played competitively and successfully throughout her 30s and even some chosen events into her 40s.

These days, most men and women would call it a day on the circuit by the time they reach their mid-30s, the top stars having won millions of pounds in prize money as well as millions more in endorsements. They have achieved enough in their careers to make them content and happy with a life after tennis. However, other less successful players are often still playing after their 35th birthday to try to earn every penny they can before they retire.

I think the obvious reason for some players to play on long after their peak is their simple love of the game. They enjoy the competitiveness of both the ATP and WTA tour and with less pressure on their shoulders enjoy playing the game with less intensity. 

The likes of Jonas Bjorkman, Fabrice Santoro, Lisa Raymond and Rennae Stubbs had no need to continue to play professionally after  their early 30s. But all four love the game and more remarkably are still successful on the tour - so why not continue?