While hudreds of athletes will represent the United States later this month in London, England, Winona Lake resident Joe Beeson will represent America Friday and Saturday in London, Ontario. Beeson, 82, is among a group of Americans that left for Canada Wednesday afternoon to play in some “friendly tennis matches” as the two countries vie for the Gordon Trophy. “It’s the oldest international competition in tennis,” Beeson said shortly before he was to make the six-hour drive. “It’s older than the Davis Cup. It started shortly after World War II.” Beeson said there will be approximately 40 matches between the two countries in various age groups, and that the United States historically has dominated the competition. “I’ve competed in this about a dozen times, and Canda has only won once in that time.” Beeson will compete in both singles and doubles action. This weekend’s matches will be Beeson’s first since having rotator cuff surgery. Beeson and doubles partner Joe Russell, of Cleveland, were playing in the championship match of a national tournament in August when Beeson suffered the injury. At the time, Beeson was ranked third in the U.S. in his age group in singles play. He and Russell were ranked No. 1 in doubles. Beeson is originally from the Warsaw area, and tennis is his passion. He started the tennis program at Warsaw Community High School back in the 1960s. He founded the Warsaw Racquet Club, as well as the Warsaw Community Tennis Association. “Tennis has something other sports don’t have, which makes it very unusual,” said Beeson. “Basketball has officials and a time limit. You don’t have that in tennis. In tennis, the players play the game and also serve as the officials. It teaches you the great lesson of fair play.”
