HighFIVE: Ming Chew

With her positive attitude and competitive nature, Ming Chew is a champion of tennis as a coach, player and advocate of the sport.

Ming Chew is a true ambassador of the sport of tennis – as a player, instructor, teammate and mentor. 

Ming first picked up a racquet in 2009 at the age of 27, a few years after moving to Colorado to attend the Art Institute of Colorado. She grew up playing soccer, badminton and basketball, but never had the opportunity to play tennis in her native Malaysia. 

 “The only person with courts in my city was the Sultan”. 

Her tennis journey started on the public courts in the Wash Park neighborhood of Denver where she took lessons through Denver Parks & Rec. A strong student from the beginning, Ming focused on the fundamentals. Within three years, she became a certified teaching pro and has spent the past 12 years as an instructor with Denver Parks & Rec, on the same Wash Park courts where she started, as well as at Glenmoor Country Club and Apex Tennis. 

She has also been involved with both the Star Search and SERVES programs, a joint venture between the Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation and DPR that incorporates athletic skills development as well as learning and practicing life and leadership skills.

While Ming has taught all ages, her focus the past few years has been on adults. “I believe I am successful as a teacher because I can explain things that I had to figure out or learn as a beginner. Since I was an adult when I started, I think that probably inspires other adults who have never played to give tennis a try. My goal of tennis has always been to have fun and to look good – perhaps that is the essence.”

“I love meeting people from all walks of life and being able give back to the community that has accepted me as a foreigner,” Ming says. This passion and enthusiasm has helped Ming introduce more then 300 people to tennis and that number will only continue to grow with the strong partnerships she has formed with tennis experts. 

Recently, Ming participated in a USTA initiative where she was partnered with Game Set Match, Inc., Denver’s premier tennis store. When someone purchased a new racquet from Game Set Match, Ming providd them free lessons. “I did this for about eight months and had quite a few people take advantage of it” she says. 

She also credits Babolat for helping her bring more people into the game. She says “Babolat supports and sponsors events that I am passionate about, such as Asian Tennis League, Junior Level 4, 5, 6 and 7 tournaments, as well as demo days. They educate me on their technology and that helps me be current on equipment and be able to pass that information on to those who I teach.” 

In addition to teaching, Ming is the JV tennis coach at Regis High School. “I started last year as an assistant to help my buddy Jen Armstrong, who is the head coach. But, just like most tennis bugs, the kids got me, and I was offered the Head JV Coach position.” 

Developing relationships with the high schoolers as well as watching them grow and develop brings great joy to Ming. “I enjoy learning from the kids while exchanging tennis skills and life lessons. I was really proud when some of my JV girls from last year got selected to play varsity this year. To instill discipline, passion and skills that help these kids grow is a great experience.”

Ming’s passion is not only evident as a coach but also as a player. She is active in leagues and tournaments and says “I have played every league offered by the USTA and a lot of tournaments. I started as a beginner at 2.5 and am now playing at the 4.0/4.5 level. Singles are my bread and butter, but I also am starting to enjoy doubles.” In 2022, Ming had an impressive 95% winning record, including seven tournament wins, which bumped her from 3.5 to her current 4.0 rating. 

Despite being a fierce competitor, Ming is well known for her positive attitude. “She quite literally is the MOST passionate tennis enthusiast I’ve ever met on the court. We’ve faced each other in leagues and tournaments many times and while I’d like to call her a rival, she’s truly only a friend on the court. It’s always a fun experience to play her” says Mary Brennan, USTA Colorado District League Coordinator.

Ming is gearing up for another busy league and tournament season and couldn’t be more excited. “I love watching tennis and spreading the love of sport through the game. Tennis challenges you in every way – mentally, emotionally, physically – and it’s a constant challenge to try and figure out and solve your opponent, much like a puzzle. The tennis community is unique, and I idolize every player that has beat me fair and square,” she says. Always challenging herself, Ming hopes “to win the Colorado Tennis Championships [held in August] and perhaps play or qualify for an ITF International event, National Golden Ball, and US Open for Seniors.” 

With her positive attitude and competitive nature, Ming will undoubtedly continue to be a champion of tennis as a coach, player and advocate of the sport.