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"Tennis Player Lee Starr, 95, Healthy To a 'Fault'—And US Open's Unofficial Poster Boy"

  • NY Daily News
  • (September 01, 2013)

He is old enough to be Roger Federer's great-great-grandfather. And at 95, he is still playing tennis twice a week with his 80-something pals, putting topspin on the ball and placing it deftly "where my opponents ain't." Meet Lee Starr, the US Open's unofficial poster boy for the heart-health benefits of tennis. "It gives me a great boost," said Starr, who credits the game he's played for 85 years and his cardiologist, The Mount Sinai Hospital's heart chief Valentin Fuster, MD, for his longevity. "Tennis is a very complete sport —you are working all four extremities, it's aerobic, and it requires concentration, which we believe may improve brain function," said Dr. Fuster, at 70 no slouch himself for physical activity. He bikes about 500 miles every summer, including pedaling the same grueling route Tour de France competitors ride. Learn more