THERE must be something in the water in the Baron household.

For when it comes to tennis, Chris Baron, just like her husband Tom, just keeps on getting better with age.

While 81-year-old Tom had a season to remember last year – winning the British Over 60s veterans singles title and was a doubles indoor champion – Chris has just clocked her best season in the ‘golden oldies’.

For she has reached a career high ranking of sixth in the world following impressive performances at the ITF World Individual Championships in Austria and also the European Team Championships in La Manga.

Chris, who like her husband, is a member of Blackburn Northern Tennis Club, won a bronze medal in the Over 65s Mixed Doubles in the World Championships – her first major medal.

But she did not have to wait too long as she followed up with a silver medal in the European Team Championships.

“It certainly has been a year to remember for me,” said Chris who has already qualified for next year’s European Team Championships after winning in Dudley at the weekend.

“Tom has been up there for a few years now so it is lovely to be able to say I have won a few medals myself.”

Chris said her husband is her driving force and dedicated her successes to him.

“Tom is great and has really helped me. We train together all the time and he has really motivated me.”

Chris teamed up with Italian Giancarlo Ranghi to win bronze at the Worlds.

She was then denied gold in the European Team Championships by a French side who had all played at Wimbledon and the French Open when they were younger.

Chris also won Category One competition in Italy where she picked up a trophy and ranking points.

Tom, a former top class umpire, admits he hasn’t hit the heady heights of last year – although he did manage to win the Wimbledon Over 80s singles title and was runner-up in the doubles.

“For one reason or another I haven’t been as good as I was last year,” said Tom who umpired at the US Open and Wimbledon. “But it was great to win Wimbledon because that is something I have not managed before.

“But I am delighted for Chris and I am really proud of her. She has had a great season and thoroughly deserves her success.”

And Chris said some of that is down to Blackburn Northern.

“It is a wonderful club and is really well run,” she added. “There are some very good young players down there and the senior set up is very strong.

“So much so that me and Tom can’t get in the team!”