He had just represented Australia in an over 75s tournament in Perth, but had to put down the racquet to look after his sick wife and then attend to some of his own ailments.

"I thought that was it, but earlier this year I entered for the Australian 80 and over tournament and came up with a couple of wins," he said.

The Riverside octogenarian had won the hardcourt singles and doubles titles at Kooyong and as a result he was selected for a four-man Australian team to compete in Austria early next month.

Byrne, 80, leaves tomorrow with his doubles partner Neville Langford, of Queensland, and two players from New South Wales to take part in the international series which starts in Villach on September 9.

"It will be good to catch up with a few of my old mates again," Byrne said.

Before they arrive in Austria the four-man team will spend a few days in Munich training at facilities.

"I understand the Australian Davis Cup team will be there at the same time," he said.

Because of his inactivity on the court over the past year Byrne has seen his rankings slip to 68th in singles and 45th in doubles, but is confident of a good showing in the doubles with Langford and the mixed doubles with Margaret Robinson from Western Australia.

Byrne has given most of his life to tennis in Northern Tasmania and the sport has been kind to him. While representing Australia in seniors events he has played in the US, South Africa and Austria once before, regarding it as one of the highlights of his career.