Struggle. Believe. Strength. Ambition. Triumph.
Five simple yet powerful words I hold close to my heart that I live by reminding me of my journey. I believe you cannot gain true Strength until you've struggled first. That you cannot overcome the Struggle if you don't Believe in yourself. That there is no Ambition without the strength to keep going. But, most importantly, one is not born triumphant, Triumph is earned.
My Ambition
With my goal of becoming a professional tennis player I am currently seeking out a full time coach and training facility. Once I begin training full time I will begin playing professional tournaments
There are two levels on the professional circuit: the ITF circuit, and the WTA circuit. The WTA circuit is the ultimate goal, it is what you regularly see on TV, It consists of the top players in the world playing at the most elite venues.
However, the ITF circuit is where tennis players must start out first in order to accumulate sufficient points that will allow them onto the WTA tour. If given the opportunity to continue my passion and pursue my dreams, I would love to one day help other Canadian athletes who share similar stories to mine.
Ultimately, my biggest ambition is to inspire, to share my voice, my experiences and knowledge I've gained. To let other's know there is no dream to big, if you set your mind to something and strive they are yours for the taking. It's going to be far from easy and will take time, but the best things in life are always worth waiting and fighting for.
Sponsors & Expenses
Unfortunately I will not be able to financially support myself initially on the ITF circuit as there is little prize money involved. However, it is the mandatory start needed to propel my career.
It is virtually financially impossible to keep up with the demands of the sport when beginning the professional circuit ie. equipment, court time, coaching fees, travel costs, proper training conditions, personal trainers, proper diet etc. without some financial assistance and sponsors.
Sadly, both Canadian and American tennis players have a tough time financing these tour expenses because unlike many foreign players who are sponsored by their governments or tennis associations we don't have that privilege. This is one reason that so few Canadian women make it into the higher levels of tennis.
As previously mentioned the start of professional tennis is difficult to jumpstart due to the considerable amount of money is needed. In fact, it is roughly estimated that in order to play a full schedule with all the added expenses, it can cost anywhere between $25,000-$30,000 per year.
It would be a dream within a dream to obtain a sponsorship or other form of finacial assistance to help cover these costs, it would be beyond what I would initially expect. However, I am forever grateful for any form of help. Whether it be a sponsorship, a donation, training tips or any friendly advice is beyond appreciated. So feel free to drop me a line in the "Contact" tab or leave a comment below!