Lucille

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

I love tennis because it makes me feel powerful. It’s just me and the ball, and I have to figure out how to win on my own. I love solving the puzzle of each match and feeling strong, even when I’m nervous. I also love meeting players from all over and becoming friends through competition. 75 tournaments and officially at the start.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

Of course the greats like Serena, Venus, and Steffi inspire me, but Maria Sharapova stands out because she was powerful and graceful at the same time. She made tennis stylish and competitive, and I love how she built a brand beyond the court. She reminds me I can be strong, serious, and still love fashion. Let's not forget Aryna Sabalenka who I study, admire, and am in awe of every day. She's a legend and the most authentic in the game right now.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

My proudest moment was actually the first tournament I ever lost. I cried the whole car ride home, but the next day, I picked up my racket and practiced even harder. That’s the day I realized I wanted to be great and that losing doesn’t mean you’re not good, it means you’re just getting started. It's also been incredible to deliberately compete in 12U when I was 9 before I was ready. Some players avoid this from a strategy perspective, but I don't ever run away from something because it's hard.