Tennis Stars: How Their Journeys Began

Aryna Sabalenka’s journey began somewhat serendipitously. Growing up without a strong connection to professional tennis, her fate changed at six when she and her father, Sergey, a former ice hockey player, happened to pass a tennis court in Minsk, Belarus. After stopping for a quick hit, Sabalenka went on to become a world No.1 and four-time Grand Slam champion.

Ben Shelton, known for his powerful serve, initially prioritized American football over tennis, influenced by his father, Brian Shelton, a former pro and coach. It wasn’t until he was 12 that he shifted his focus fully to tennis, guided by his father. While at the University of Florida, he maintained a balance between academics and athletics, completing his first overseas trip in 2022 at age 19.

The environment surrounding young athletes can significantly shape their careers. Joao Fonseca, only 19, climbed from world No.145 to No.24 by early 2025. Living close to the Rio Open and the Rio de Janeiro Country Club likely influenced his decision to pursue tennis after witnessing Rafael Nadal’s 2014 title win. Jakub Mensik's tennis interest sparked at age five, partly attributed to the tennis courts adjacent to his home in Prostejov, despite his family not being particularly sporty.

For Madison Keys, a childhood admiration for Venus Williams led her to the sport. Keys was captivated not by Williams' titles but by her iconic 1999 Wimbledon outfit, prompting her to start playing tennis at her mother's insistence. French player Valentin Royer also found inspiration watching Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros when he was three, quickly requesting a racquet of his own.

Jelena Ostapenko credits her ballroom dancing background for enhancing her footwork on the tennis court. She began tennis at five, alongside her dancing pursuits, competing in national championships in Latvia.

Jannik Sinner, now a top player, initially focused on skiing, competing from a young age before switching to tennis at 13. Flavio Cobolli, who trained at AS Roma’s youth academy before turning to tennis at 14, followed his father’s path in the sport.

Frances Tiafoe’s journey began in a small setting. His parents emigrated from Sierra Leone, and his father became the custodian of the Junior Tennis Champions Center in Maryland, allowing Frances and his brother to learn the sport from an early age. After starting formal training at eight, Frances received guidance that set him on a professional trajectory.

Andrey Rublev’s passion for tennis ignited at age three, deeply influenced by his mother's role as a coach. He revealed he was so devoted that he would sleep with his racquet, often practicing from 9 AM to 10 PM as a child.

Ons Jabeur, born in Tunisia, had limited local tennis role models. Introduced to tennis by her mother at three, she trained on temporary courts until moving to Tunis for better opportunities at 12. Now, she is recognized as the most accomplished Tunisian and Arab female player in WTA history.

Lastly, Cruz Hewitt was influenced by his father, Lleyton Hewitt, a former professional player. Immersed in the sport from a young age, Cruz began playing in The Bahamas before returning to Australia to pursue training at the KDV Tennis Academy.