But while he always gets a few laughs from that line, the truth isn’t much of a stretch.
The Mt Lawley Tennis Club member, who recently won a Tennis West Volunteer Achievement Award, picked up his first racquet as a small child at the Pinjarra Tennis Club.
Travelling throughout the State as a child and young adult, he was quick to join the Bunbury, New Norcia, Brunswick Junction and Harvey tennis clubs.
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READ NOWHe then joined Mt Lawley Tennis Club in 1977 and has been there ever since.
While smashing aces on the court is his first love, Firns has also hit his fair share of balls off the court, working as a committee member since joining, which included two stints as president.
During his second term, Mt Lawley was named as club of the year in 2006.
His two terms as president (11 years in all) is also a record for the club.
He said he could not have earned the volunteer award without the support of other volunteers.
‘Most of the things I achieved during my involvement with the club could not have been done without the help of many volunteers who, like me, give up their time to support the club,’ he said.
Firns said his passion for tennis had flowed through to his children who have all played at the club, with his two grand daughters who are also trying their hand at the sport.