What a journey we have had. From having my first tennis lesson as a seven-year-old in Singapore, to moving to Ireland and continuing with you there, I now find myself writing this letter in my fifth year at university in Tennessee. Our journey has been filled with many challenges and the highest highs and lowest lows of collegiate athletics, but you, tennis, have always been a constant. You have progressively shaped me and improved me into the woman that I am and the woman I am yet to be. And for that, I am forever grateful.
Upon moving to Ireland, I was not the best tennis player in my age group, but you never gave up on me. I practiced hard and by the time I left for college in America I was competing with the top girls in my age group. Thank you for teaching me the need for hard work and showing me the benefits. Thank you for bringing me to a university where I could be myself and for giving me the opportunity to find my voice and a platform to lead with confidence and inspire and challenge those around me. You are present in all of the best parts of myself, and I wouldn’t be here without the qualities you have taught me. I do not believe I could have the discipline, work ethic and determination I have without you, tennis! I hope my journey inspires other women, showing them that sometimes talent is not enough, and that success comes from working hard, making sacrifices and persevering.
Thank you, tennis, for giving me a bond with my family, especially with my twin sister. After going our separate ways our freshman year of college, you just knew that we needed to be together again to fulfil our dreams. You gave us something that encouraged us to dream big and to never apologise for going after those dreams. Truly, being able to experience the last three years with my sister, my best friend and doubles partner, is one of the greatest experiences you have given me. I would not be here without her, and I cannot wait for the many experiences we will still get to share in the future because of you.
Through you I have found some of my closest friends both from college and at home. You surrounded me with people that encouraged me, supported me, and pushed me to be the best version of myself and achieve more than I could have ever dreamed of on my own. Thank you for giving me a head coach who believed in me from day one. Thank you for showing me what it was like to compete on a team surrounded by a countless number of inspirational women and to make me realise that I am a part of something greater. You showed me that I thrive in competitive situations and there is nothing I love more than competing for my teammates, coaches, and university. All the sprints ran at practice, all the early morning conditioning sessions, traveling to matches in cramped mini-vans – they were all worth it for the moments of pure joy when we came together to win championships.
Every heart-breaking loss, every mental and physical challenge was just your way of making me become a better player, teammate, and person. You taught me to see the beauty of my talent. You taught me how to be strong. You taught me to push the limits of my physical strength and my mental strength - whether it was in a third set, match point down trying to clinch the match for my team, or recovering from my recent shoulder surgery – I knew I could overcome these challenges because you taught me that in the toughest moments there is still hope that things will get better. You always had a way of reminding me that playing tennis is what I do, but it’s not who I am. I have become a strong, powerful, and confident woman who is much more than her athletic accomplishments, and no matter how things turn out, I know I will always have you by my side.
While I hope to have the opportunity to compete one last time, I am excited to continue using the platform I have built to inspire, empower, and share all the lessons you have taught me with the next generation of women. It is hard to think that for all that you have done for me in the last sixteen years, you are still teaching me things every day and I am excited to see where you take me in the next chapter of my life.