Midwest

Meet: Giselle Salazar, Aurora University Player Turned High School Tennis Coach

Molly Doehrmann | October 03, 2022


In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, USTA.com is saluting those members of the Hispanic community whose passion, dedication and commitment have helped to make tennis more accessible. Read Giselle Salazar's tennis story! Salazar is a Northern Illinois player who grew up competing in USTA Midwest junior tournaments. Now she teaches tennis at the Vaughan Athletic Center and Aurora Central Catholic High School. 

 

Q: Share some of your tennis history. When did you start playing? 

Giselle: I've been playing tennis for 17 years and picked up my first racquet when I was five years old. I played in numerous USTA tournaments.

 

Q: What teams have you played for? 

Giselle: I played on my high school varsity tennis team all four years at Aurora Central Catholic High School. Then I was recruited to play college tennis at a D3 level at Aurora University. 

 

Q: What is your tennis involvement now?

Giselle: Throughout my entire competitive career, I trained at the Vaughan Athletic Center in Aurora, Illinois. The Vaughan is and always will be my second home. During my high school career, I became a tennis instructor at the Vaughan where my coaches soon became my colleagues. Now I teach all ages and skill levels. It's amazing to see the different types of styles of play people bring to the court. It's also fun to see students fall in love with the sport that I have so much passion for. Currently, I am the Head Girls Tennis Coach at my high school alma mater, Aurora Central Catholic High School. Our fall season is in full swing with so many talented and energetic players! My goal is to continue participating in this sport one way or another.

 

Q: Thinking back, what made you want to try tennis?

Giselle: I have to thank my parents for getting me involved in tennis. They signed me up for youth soccer, swim lessons, ballet... But none of them stuck with me like tennis. My parents supported me from day one and continue to support me as a tennis instructor and coach. At one point, I was a student-athlete and an instructor at the same time, and my parents were the ones who pushed me to always give my best at all times. I would not be where I am today without both of them.

 

 

Below is an excerpt from a personal biography Salazar wrote for a Hispanic scholarship foundation she is a member of:


"I am the eldest of three daughters who come from wonderful and hardworking parents who made endless sacrifices to make sure their daughters were well educated."

Quote continued: "I am a second-generation student with amazing role models in my family. As a daughter and granddaughter of immigrants, success is sought due to starting with less, striving for more and working hard towards my goals. All [of this] while helping your family and others.

 

My maternal grandparents were immigrants from Mexico and so is my father. My father came to the United States from Aguascalientes, Mexico at 14 years old and was ready to start working right away to begin building his life. He had to learn a new language, a new culture, new social norms, a new school system, a new political system, new everything; and he did it all for a better life for himself and now his family. He has instilled the values of hard work and perseverance throughout my life, and I am forever grateful that... I don’t think I would be at this point in my life if he hadn’t.

 

My grandparents came to the United States from Durango, Mexico in their early 20s with no clue of what to expect, but they came with a lot of hope. After years of working multiple jobs and having three kids (one of them my mother), they successfully put three kids through Catholic grade school, middle school and high school, and all three became college educated. My mother has been my role model. She is also the oldest of her three siblings. I look up to her for a lot of qualities that an oldest sibling must have. Besides being a supportive family member, my mother has shown me what it takes to be a successful and independent young woman. She has taught me how to be an organized and focused student, employee, colleague, athlete and more.

 

I have a solid and strong support system surrounding me that has taught me what it takes to be a headstrong young woman, student, sister, friend, tennis player and coach." 


Q: What do you love about tennis? Why do you enjoy playing so much?

Giselle: I enjoy playing tennis in all its varieties! Whether it's on a team, just going out to hit or playing in a tournament. I have to say, after playing both singles and doubles for many years, singles was my prominent position and my favorite to play. It's a very self-motivating experience that really teaches you how to be a headstrong player and to master having a competitive mindset. Additionally, I've learned as a singles player to slowly eliminate negative self-talk during a match or practice and incorporate more positive self-talk during those tough times. I can't express enough how much that's made a difference in my tennis career.

 

Q: What is your proudest tennis moment?

Giselle: My proudest tennis moment was during a college match where I played first singles that day. It was extremely windy, to begin with, but I was also down 0-1 in sets and 0-4 in the second set. I was in my head from the very beginning and had caused so many unforced errors that had put me in a tough position. I was up to serve and before I did so I took a deep breath. I could literally feel my entire body take a huge weight off. The rest of my shots were smoother and more precise, and I ultimately had a clearer mind to strategize and play. I came back and won in three sets. To say that I was proud of myself is an understatement. A comeback so late in the match was truly a rewarding feeling and a huge learning experience.

 

 

Q: What more would you like to share about your tennis story?

Giselle: Being a Mexican American tennis player has brought a lot of rewarding moments into my life. Those moments have been filled with emotions and feelings of representation for my culture. Tennis is not a popular sport in Mexican culture, but I'm proud of myself for being a positive and hard-working role model in this sport. Over the years, I've seen more young Hispanic tennis players on the rise. It is truly a heartwarming feeling.

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