By Scoop Malinowski
You probably have heard of Gail Falkenberg. She earned some media attention a few years ago for playing some low level ITF World Tour events. She is now 78 years and still trying to hustle her way into draws.
Falkenberg is on the alternate list to get into the Sumter, South Carolina ITF $75,000 which begins on June 2.
One may wonder why a 78 year old would still be playing professional tennis even though she loses every match 60 60 or 60 61. Her last activity was in 2023 at the Sumter ITF $60,000 where she somehow got into the qualifying draw and lost 60 60 to America Basant Kaur.
Somehow Falkenberg wangled her way into three other qualifying draws in 2023, Vero Beach, Orlando and Zephyr Hills, FL. She managed to win one game Ahmani Guichard, or was given a free game is more likely.
The match in Orlando pitted Falkenberg against Japanese junior Sayaka Ishii, who is now 19 and ranked 205 in the world. Ishii is playing French Open qualies this week and lost to Emma Raducanu at Miami Open this year 62 61.
Falkenberg has been at this a long time. She was born in Westfield , New Jersey in January 1947 and graduated from UCLA in the 1960s, where she played on the women’s basketball, tennis and volleyball varsity teams. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in filmmaking.
After graduation and working as a documentary filmmaker, she decided to try to play on the WTA professional at the age of 38. At the 1986 WTA Brazilian Open she made her Virginia Slims main draw debut. Two years later she competed in the qualifying draw at the 1988 Australian Open and actually woj a round. Her career high ranking was 360. Gail hung up the racquets in 1990 and pursued a coaching career as head coach of the women’s team at University of Central Florida.
But the desire to compete was still inside Falkenberg which she kept doing sporadically through the 90s and into the new century. There were some highlights moments. At age 66 in 2013, Falkenberg played the then-unknown Naomi Osaka in qualies at the Rock Hill ITF event – she lost 60 60 against the future world no. 1 and Grand Slam champion who was 16 at the time.
The best win for Falkenberg was probably in Pelham, Alabama in 2016 when at age 69 she conquered 22 year old Rosalyn Small 60 61 in the first round of qualifying. That same event she played the world’s no. 1 junior Taylor Townsend, winning 12 points in the match.
Only in tennis could a player in their 60s and 70s still find a way to play professionally. And that says something about the allure of the sport and the heart of Gail Falkenberg.
Australian Open · Gail Falkenberg · Naomi Osaka · Taylor Townsend
Steve · May 23, 2025 at 2:19 pm
Inspiring. They need to make a Gold Balls Part II docu following the women around.
Scoop Malinowski · May 23, 2025 at 2:32 pm
I will try to nominate her for Hall of Fame ballot, she deserves it. It should not just be about winning slams but also other amazing feats. Isner Mahut deserve to be enshrined also IMO. Feli Lopez 79 straight GS main draws also. Rios too.