HighFIVE: Lynnsey Lu

Lu's sizzling summer has her on top of the Colorado standings

When Broomfield’s Lynnsey Lu was seven, her parents and her older sister encouraged her to try tennis. Just five years later, Lu is making a strong name for herself on the junior tennis scene.

The seventh grader, who attends Stargate Charter School, spent much of her summer bringing home tournament titles. She kicked off June by winning the 12 and Under Level 3 ITA Summer Championships without dropping a set and wrapped up July by winning the 14 and Under Level 4 Summer Masters, as well as getting to the 14s doubles final. Her success has resulted in her current rankings of No. 1 in Colorado and No. 5 in the Intermountain Section in the 12s.

While Lu enjoys the challenge and competition of tennis, she definitely appreciates the joy that tennis brings her. In fact, Lu says she prefers playing doubles because “it’s more fun playing with a partner.” “Being able to have fun while competing, but also constantly learning new things and improving, are some of the reasons I love tennis,” she says. 

Currently coached by a team of Colorado veterans – Ryan Berman, Alan Tsuda, Chad Tsuda, and Rich Berman – from Rich’s Tennis School, Lu also practices out of the Ranch Country Club.  She strives to be like her favorite player, Novak Djokovic, because “he is a very consistent, but offensive player that has achieved great things.” Having a strong offensive game resonates with Lu as her favorite shot to hit is a swinging volley because it has helped her “take the ball earlier and be more offensive.”

While only 12, Lu has some big goals. “Right now, I hope to play high school tennis, become a top junior player and succeed by working hard to win tournaments,” she says. “These goals drive me to compete and put in the effort to succeed.” Her success is obvious in her results, but particularly impressive are her results playing up in the 14s. Lu says, “The transition to 14s is going well. It allows me to gain more experience by playing different players and gives me harder challenges.”

While playing tennis tournaments throughout Colorado as well as in Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Texas may not seem like the norm for a 12 year-old, Lu is definitely a typical middle schooler who also likes to hang out with her friends, play piano, ski, hike and read.

Reflecting on her competitive path to date, Lu says “I was especially proud of myself when I won the Summer Sectionals because it was my first big achievement in my tennis career.” Based on Lu’s desire to get better, yet still find the fun in tennis, we know there are many more big achievements to follow.

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