Behind The Racquet • Shares A Behind The Scenes With Tennis 10sBalls • WTA’s Sachia Vickery

 

Editor’s note: 10sBalls thanks Noah Rubin for giving us permission to repost these great stories. We wish him and this endeavor the best of luck. Great seeing Noah wearing K-Swiss and playing Solinco Strings.

 

“I had a very difficult route getting to where I am today. My mom migrated here from Guyana, in 1987, searching for a better life. While growing up my mother worked three jobs at one point, just to be able to send me to tournaments. Despite all that, she somehow always found a way to keep me in tennis. I struggled with traveling alone but it was the only choice I had. I literally had to win matches so I could afford to get to the next tournament. It seemed that I was looked past until I won some of the bigger matches. I’ve always been told that I’m too short, or my game isn’t big enough to be top 100. I was at my end point just before winning the 2013, 18’s hard court nationals, in both singles and doubles. From that I earned the main draw US Open wildcards for singles and doubles. Before the final I didn’t even have money to buy breakfast for myself. I tried calling my mom, who was home at the time, to find a solution but my phone was cut off because we couldn’t pay the bill. I was hesitant to tell anyone in fear of being the stereotypical “poor black girl“ or “charity case“. I was so nervous that I threw up in the bathroom before I went on, because if I lost, it would most likely be the end of my career. After winning I was congratulated by the USTA coaches, tournament staff, fans, etc. I thought to myself if only they knew just two hours ago I was throwing up and crying, wondering why no one was around to help me. I was the fifth best junior in the world at the time and I couldn’t even afford to eat breakfast before the final. This was a huge wake up call and turning point for me. It motivated me to keep winning, so that one day I could play freely and not have to worry about anything else besides playing the sport I love. I’m a pretty private and low key person but I have nothing to be ashamed of. Overcoming these challenges just shows me that there’s nothing I can’t handle, on or off the court. Even though I’m in a better position now, I will never settle. I want the best.” -Saschia Vickery

 

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You can follow Saschia Vickery on the links below:

Twitter | @SaschiaVick

Instagram | @saschiavick

 

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