"If I can somehow come home with a medal, that would be the icing on the cake" - Brighouse man to compete in Open Masters Games in Abu Dhabi next month

Ashley Addy, who lives in Hove Edge, will be one of more than 20,000 athletes from around the world competing at the event, having played tennis in the World Masters Games in Taiwan last year.

Ashley, 40, says he has been training hard to get ready for the games and will fly out on February 6.

He plays on the ITF Masters World Tennis Tour and has previously played in the British Masters at Wimbledon.

"I’ll be competing in the Tennis 40+, in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles," Ashley said.

"I’ll also compete in the 40+ category in the 100m, Long Jump and Shot Put, so I’ve been putting plenty of hours in the gym, changed my diet and also been training at Spring Hall with a sprinting team.

"The games are endorsed by the Olympic and Paralympic committee and are to promote sport in older age categories.

"Age categories are split every five years from 35 and the oldest competitor in Taipei in May last year was over 100!

"For a couple of events you do need to qualify, such as the tennis, I believe, but many you can just enter, but will then need to go through a qualification process.

"Even though I’m now 40 I’m probably as fit as I’ve ever been."

Ashley has played sport locally all his life and is a former semi-professional football with Brighouse Town and Liversedge.

"I was looking for a new challenge when I retired from football a few years ago and I’d always played tennis in the background," he said.

"I wanted to pursue it further, which I’ve absolutely loved to do, and challenge myself on the world stage on the ITF Masters Tour.

"It's a very high standard of county players, ex juniors and some ex pros.

"The Masters Games has also added another dynamic, which is seeing me push myself in other areas such as athletics.

"I’m most looking forward to being part of such an amazing event and meeting competitors from all over the world.

"My doubles partner from Taiwan will be coming over for us to team up again.

"We had a tough draw last year and the winner of the singles in my age category once played for Taiwan in the Davis Cup, so I was told, so the standard was high.

"I’m hoping to just enjoy myself and put in the best performances I can and if I can somehow come home with a medal, that would be the icing on the cake."