STEPHEN Dance's upcoming- 10-week trip to Europe began with just a casual hit-around last year. 
The former gun junior and regular state title contender looked to have put his competitive tennis days behind him, when he was asked to consider picking up the racquet again.
"I just got asked by a friend of mine if I wanted to be his hitting partner. I enjoyed it and it woke up some of the competitive spirit in me, I guess," Dance said.
"So, I began to play seniors tennis, enjoyed it and it went from there. Things have gone pretty well so far." Pretty well is a bit of an understatement. The reason the 60-year-old is going to Europe is to represent Australia in the International Tennis Federation world team seniors championships in Helsinki.
"There's four in the team. It's like the Davis Cup but a half one, as they have reverse singles," Dance said.
"So, it will just be two singles matches and a doubles match. I'm not too sure of what my role will be." Dance will then stay on in Finland to play in the world individual championships then play in tournaments in Latvia, France, Germany and Hungary. "Me and a few others on the team will go and play a few tournaments after we finish up in Finland," Dance said. "You might as well take the opportunity to do so if you are in Europe."