But then, he says, about a year ago he saw his 70th birthday looming "and thought it would be a good time if I'm going to get it done to give it a little push and see what happened."

What is intriguing about Novotna is that, with her 30th birthday looming next month, her game appears to be heading for the uplands rather than clinging to a plateau.

But with his 40th birthday looming and his marriage getting rocky, he was restless and ready for an adventure.

With his 35th birthday looming, Agassi still looks fit enough to go the distance, but for the moment, he has not had to dip into his reserves.

With a dancer's nemesis of a 40th birthday looming, Mr. La Fosse has found a comfortable creative balance.

After spending several seasons outside the top 100, largely in tennis's challenger circuit, he has made his way back to No. 68 with his 30th birthday looming in August.

With his 39th birthday looming, Tommy hung his boots at the end of the 1981/82 season - his last match was the FAI Cup Final defeat by Limerick.

But with his 30th birthday looming, there is little artifice left in Agassi's tennis or on-court appearance: only the bows and blown kisses to all four corners of the stadium after each of his seven victories here.

With his 34th birthday looming, Dan Parks may be vulnerable, but he has helped Robinson out of a pickle in the past and the coach would think hard before leaving him out.