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Alex Swetka at age 92 competing in the 90s USTA Hard Court Championships.
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Sally and Alex Swetka opened their tennis shop in Mountain View back in 1969.
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Alex Swetka, of Mountain View, passed away yesterday morning from complications of bladder cancer at the age of 94.
September 15, 2012 1:00 - 4:00 pm
A memorial event will be held for Alex Swetka near the hitting wall at the Cuesta Tennis Center in Mountain View this Saturday. Light refreshments will be served.
The address for the Cuesta Tennis Center is:
685 Cuesta Drive Mountain View, CA 94040
Pro shop phone: (650) 967-5955
A member of the USTA Northern California Tennis Hall of Fame, Alex Swetka won over 70 national tennis titles and started Swetka’s Tennis Shop in 1969. Swetka's Tennis Shop continues to be a family-owned and family-operated business as son John, also an accomplished player, has been running the business for the last 20 years.
Alex started playing tennis at age 30 while studying at San Francisco State University in 1948. He’s been playing ever since and has been injury free for the most part of his life,
In 2007, Alex won the Grand Slam in the 90's age group. He won the singles titles at the four major national tournaments played on clay, grass, hard court and indoor surfaces. In 2008, he won eight Gold Balls (trophies) playing both singles and doubles in National Tournaments sponsored by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Since the day he turned 65, Alex has been ranked number one in the world in 65s, 70s, 75s, 80s and now 90s.
He was quoted saying, "In my "almost-full-retirement," I have the time to devote to doing what I love … getting and being "in shape." For those of you who know me personally, you know my ideal week is playing six days and includes three singles and three doubles matches (Sunday being my day of tennis rest)."
Alex's key to playing into his 90s, "Clean living! Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, exercise daily. Stretching." He said,""A lot of fellas, by the time they reach 90, their movement, they’re a little slow," Swetka said. "If you hit the ball to ’em, they can do great things with it."
USTA Northern California Board President, Michael Cooke said, "Swetka’s Tennis Shop thrives even with all the on-line tennis stores and big chain sporting good stores because Alex always made his customers feel like family. Alex will be missed."
The USTA Northern California section is extremely proud to have counted Alex as one of their own and will miss him greatly. We offer our condolences to the Swetka family. He was an outstanding example of tennis being the sport for a lifetime. He will always be a role model to seniors on the benefits of staying fit and active.
A celebration of Alex Swetka's life is scheduled for Saturday, September 15, at Cuesta Park. The family prefers memorial donations be made to a charity of the donor's choice.