At 98 Years Old, Mr. Zadrozny Still Plays Tennis in Vaudreuil: A Story of Resilience, Discipline and Humanity
At the Centre multisports André-Chagnon in Vaudreuil-Dorion, some encounters leave a lasting impact. Meeting Mr. Zadrozny was one of them.
At 98 years old, he still plays tennis with a level of determination and passion that instantly inspires everyone around him. Behind every rally is a life marked by hardship, courage, resilience and extraordinary inner strength.
His story spans generations and historical moments. He lived through socioeconomic instability, war, immigration and many of the challenges that shaped his era. Yet through it all, one thing remained constant: his discipline, kindness and willingness to keep moving forward.
To this day, he continues showing up at the Centre with the same commitment and love for the sport.
Tennis as a source of joy and purpose
For Mr. Zadrozny, tennis is much more than physical activity.
It is joy. Routine. Purpose. A way to stay active, connected and present.
Even after losing his wife, he continues to come and play. Not out of obligation, but because tennis is deeply part of who he is. The moment he steps onto the court, you immediately notice his focus, calm presence and deep respect for others.
His story is a powerful reminder that sport can become an essential pillar throughout life. No matter your age, movement, connection and passion can profoundly shape everyday well-being.
A remarkable bond with his coach, Étienne from EB Tennis
It would be impossible to speak about Mr. Zadrozny without mentioning his relationship with Étienne, director of EB Tennis and an important partner of the Centre multisports André-Chagnon.
What they share goes far beyond the typical relationship between a coach and a player.
There is deep admiration, genuine care and mutual respect between them.
Their connection is visible from the very first moment. Étienne supports him with remarkable humanity and attentiveness, while Mr. Zadrozny clearly places immense trust in him.
Together, they represent one of the most beautiful aspects of sport: authentic human connections that transcend generations.
A Relationship Filled With Warmth and Care
Over time, Mr. Zadrozny has become much more than a tennis player to the teams at EB Tennis and the Centre multisports André-Chagnon. He is family.
Every time he steps onto the court, he is met with admiration, affection and immense respect. His smile, discipline and kindness leave a lasting impression on everyone around him. You can truly feel how deeply the coaches, staff and members care about him. And the love he receives is equal to the love he gives to those around him.
Through every interaction with Étienne and the entire team, it quickly becomes clear that Mr. Zadrozny inspires people not only because of his age or determination, but above all because of the exceptional human being he is.
Tennis at EB TENNIS : more than just a sport
At the Centre multisports André-Chagnon, tennis brings together people of all ages and levels in an environment built around community and connection.
Stories like Mr. Zadrozny’s remind us that behind every training session, lesson and match are human beings, personal journeys and meaningful moments shared together.
Tennis becomes more than a sport. It becomes a space for growth, resilience, friendship and joy.
A life lesson for the entire community
Meeting Mr. Zadrozny is to receive an unforgettable life lesson.
A lesson about perseverance.
About gratitude.
About discipline.
About continuing forward despite hardship.
At 98 years old, he reminds us that passion has no age limit and that the greatest form of strength is not always physical. Often, it is found in resilience, kindness and the ability to continue loving life despite everything.
And here in Vaudreuil, at the Centre multisports André-Chagnon, we have the privilege of watching him continue to play, smile and inspire others, one tennis ball at a time.