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Forever Young<\/em>, a new documentary by filmmaker Geoffrey Reed<\/strong>, tells an extraordinary true-life story of resilience, friendship and the unifying power of tennis.<\/p>\n At the heart of the film is Henry Young<\/strong>, now 102 years old and without peer as the world\u2019s oldest competitive tennis player. Henry\u2019s<\/strong> journey is not only a celebration of longevity and sporting spirit, but also a powerful reminder of how tennis can be a force for good in times of global crisis.<\/p>\n In February 2022, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, triggering the largest conflict in Europe since World War II. As the humanitarian toll mounted, the tennis world was moved by the story of Ukrainian player Leonid Stanislavskyi<\/strong>. At the age of 97, Leonid<\/strong> held the Guinness World Record as the world\u2019s oldest competitive tennis player, continuing to play while living under constant threat in the bombed city of Kharkiv.<\/p>\n Reed<\/strong>, a close friend and tennis mate of Henry Young<\/strong>, soon realised something remarkable. Henry<\/strong> was six months older than Leonid<\/strong>. Outraged by the invasion and frustrated by a sense of helplessness, Reed <\/strong>had an idea. One that would combine tennis, humanity and hope. What if Henry <\/strong>challenged Leonid <\/strong>for the title, using the match to raise funds and awareness for Ukraine war victims?<\/p>\n Henry <\/strong>agreed instantly.<\/p>\n Thus, The Clash of the Centurions<\/strong> was born. Reed<\/strong> and his team began filming Henry\u2019s<\/strong> challenge to Leonid<\/strong>, capturing a story that quickly resonated around the world. At the time, Leonid<\/strong> was refusing to leave his Kharkiv apartment due to heavy shelling, adding profound emotional weight to the unfolding narrative.<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s national newspaper later described The Clash of the Centurions<\/strong> as the best \u201cgood news story\u201d of 2022-23. Tennis Australia<\/strong> and the Australian Open<\/strong> also embraced the idea, announcing the event at the Adelaide International<\/strong>, where Henry<\/strong> famously took to the court with Jannik Sinner<\/strong>, coached by South Australia\u2019s own Darren Cahill<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The story reached its emotional peak in January 2023, when The Clash of the Centurions<\/strong> was staged on centre court at Rod Laver Arena<\/strong>. In front of a sold-out crowd of 15,000, Henry & Leonid played together as the world\u2019s oldest doubles team taking on Sascha Zverev<\/strong> and Frances Tiafoe<\/strong>. The charity event featured a constellation of tennis stars including Rafael Nadal<\/strong>, Andy Murray<\/strong>, Marta Kostyuk<\/strong>, Alex de Minaur<\/strong> and many more, all united in support of Ukraine.<\/p>\n Following the 2023 Australian Open<\/strong>, Tennis Plays for Peace, an initiative supported by the ATP, WTA, ITF and all four Grand Slams, had raised more than $US 4 million for Ukraine war victims.<\/p>\n Forever Young<\/em> goes beyond the match itself, documenting Henry Young\u2019s<\/strong> extraordinary life. The film features his appearances on The Front Bar and The Project, as well as a series of remarkable achievements both on and off the court. These include skiing at Mount Buller, winning the ITF Super Seniors Singles title in Majorca, being inducted into the ITF as its first competitive player aged 100, co-piloting a jet fighter, and receiving an OAM from Her Excellency Frances Adamson<\/strong> just days before his 102nd birthday.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n