Brave & Resilient

At just 14, Ramos made a life-changing move. She left her home in Colombia to attend Club Med Academy in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (now RPS Academies). 

“There were times when I missed my family so much and wanted to go home,” she recalled. “But I kept going. I realized that this is not what the average person does. I am so lucky. I am so brave.”

College tennis was where Ramos truly found her stride. She played for both Jackson State University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, describing those years as “electric” and the best tennis experience she’s had.

“When I was in high school, I was very against becoming a coach,” she said with a laugh. “But then every summer during college, I worked at tennis camps and really enjoyed it.”

Those summer jobs took her across the country, from Colorado to New York City, giving her the chance to travel, make new friends, and build connections within the tennis world.

One summer, she found herself at Court 16 in New York City, a tennis club known for its fun, inclusive approach to the game. When she learned the club was opening a new location in Philadelphia, it felt like the perfect fit.

Now a full-time teaching professional at Court 16 Philadelphia, Ramos is thriving. 

“I really like what they do here,” she said. “From the way they teach tennis and the club’s vision to the way they make the game fun. It allows me to connect with my clients in a really meaningful way.”

Philadelphia Area Tennis District Community Tennis Coordinator Hannah Masenheimer believes Ramos’ impact goes far beyond the court. 

“Being in a diverse city like Philadelphia and the only Latinx coach at Court 16, she’s been able to connect with Spanish-speaking communities and welcome them into the club,” Masenheimer said.

That connection means a lot to Ramos, who often coaches in both English and Spanish.

“It’s great to say I speak another language,” she said. “That I can defend myself and coach in another language.”

Though she’s now firmly rooted in Philadelphia, Ramos stays close to her family and culture. She tries to travel home to Colombia twice a year, and her parents visit when they can. Though they still need to make their first trip to see her in Philly.

From Colombia to the courts of Philadelphia, Daniela Ramos continues to live out the words that describe her best.