Growing up as an athlete, it’s easy to get caught up in the relentless pursuit of success, constantly pushing yourself to be better, stronger, and faster. But in the whirlwind of competition and ambition, there’s one person who has always kept me grounded…my mum.
Sometimes I think about how much she sacrificed so I could chase my dreams. Moving to Spain when I was just 13 was one of those pivotal moments. I was about to board at a tennis academy, thousands of miles away from home. I remember how she reassured me that everything would be alright, how she stood strong even when I knew it wasn’t easy for her. She made the choice to let me go, and that, in itself, was an act of love. She let me follow my dreams, even when it meant being far from each other, knowing that this journey was one I had to take. And even though we were miles apart, she always made sure I knew that no matter where I was, I wasn’t alone.
But it’s not just the big moves; it’s the countless little things she’s done. The late-night phone calls when I felt overwhelmed, the gentle reminders to take care of myself when I pushed too hard. She always knew how to support me without saying much. She showed me that love doesn’t always need words. Sometimes it’s just being there, making sure I knew that my worth wasn’t tied to my performance on the court.
One of my fondest memories is from when I was training in Portugal, far from home. After a tough loss, I was on the verge of tears, feeling completely exhausted and lost. I called her, hoping to hear something that would make it all make sense. But she didn’t tell me to toughen up or push through. Instead, she just listened. She reminded me that it was okay to feel down and that, no matter how difficult things got, I wasn’t alone. Even from thousands of miles away, she made me feel like I had a safety net.
She’s taught me more than just how to work hard. She’s shown me how to live with balance, to embrace my dreams without losing myself in them. My mum never pressured me to keep pushing when I was on the brink of burnout. Instead, she taught me to take a step back, breathe, and remember that my happiness matters too. Her mantra has always been “Be a good person first before a good player.” It’s something she’s instilled in me since I was a kid, and it’s shaped the way I approach life on and off the court.
My mum is more than just my number-one fan. She’s shown me that success is not just about winning but about staying true to myself. Her love and unwavering support keep me grounded, and I know that wherever life takes me, I’ll always carry her strength and kindness with me.