How tennis helped Mariko Tsuyuki find community, confidence and home

Throughout Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, USTA.com will feature a series of first-person essays from AAPI tennis leaders. This week, the series features thoughts from Mariko Tsuyuki who played in Japan and returned to tennis as a source of personal renewal after moving to the United States. 

In this essay, Tsuyuki touches on the core values held by USTA—growing tennis to inspire people from all backgrounds to rally together, have fun and enjoy healthier lives.

My journey with tennis began in high school in Japan, but after graduation, the racquet stayed in the closet for many years. It wasn’t until my husband’s career brought our family to Indiana that I decided to pick it up again. As a mother in a new country, I found myself longing for "me time" and a way to connect with my new surroundings. What started as a simple hobby five years ago has transformed into a vital part of my identity.