Missouri Valley / Oklahoma

AAPI Feature: Melody and Isabel Li, the dynamic tennis duo

Casey McKenzie | May 06, 2024

As May unfolds, so does the celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the U.S., a time to recognize and honor the diverse cultures of these communities. In the realm of sports, the Li sisters—Melody and Isabel—stand out as shining examples of young talent making waves in the world of tennis.

Melody and Isabel Li, both 12 years old, have already established themselves as competitors. They regularly play Junior Team Tennis (JTT) and USTA tournaments throughout the year.

Recently, Melody and Isabel showcased their skills at the Earlywine Junior Circuit, where Melody claimed the second-place spot in the 10U Orange Ball category while Isabel secured second place in the 10U Green Ball division. As regulars at the Britton Christian Church Tennis Academy (BCCTA), these siblings have been putting in hard work under the guidance of dedicated coaches and are up-and-coming players in USTA Oklahoma.

Please enjoy this Q&A with Melody and Isabel!

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Melody Li Q&A

How old are you?

I am about to be 10.

Where do you go to school?

I go to school at Clegern Elementary in Edmond, Oklahoma.

How long have you been playing tennis?

I have been playing tennis for about three years.

Where are you from?

My parents are both from China, so I am Chinese American.

Favorite tennis memory?

My favorite tennis memory is probably when my team and I went to Tulsa for the Orange State Team Tennis Championship in 2021.

Who is your tennis coach?

I have a lot of tennis coaches, so I will name all of them. Coach Brad, Coach Jessica Reineke, Coach Mike Hays, Coach Johnny Beleleu, Coach Isabella Dunlap and my mom, Coach Jiayi Chen.

Where do you play tennis?

I play tennis at a lot of places but the place I play most is my church, Britton Christian Church.

What are you looking forward to in the future?

In the future I want to play college tennis and then become a pro player or a tennis coach.

What tennis racquet do you play with?

I play with Wilson Clash and Wilson Pro Staff.

Do you prefer singles or doubles?

I can’t decide between singles and doubles because I love them both.

Favorite restaurant?

I don't have a favorite restaurant and I am not that picky.

Hobbies besides tennis?

My other hobbies I enjoy are swimming, table tennis, soccer, badminton and a lot more.

Isabel Li Q&A

How old are you?

I turned 11 in February.

Where do you go to school?

I go to Clegern Elementary.

How long have you been playing tennis?

I live in Edmond, Oklahoma, and I have been playing tennis for almost three years.

Where are you from?

Both of my parents are from China, but I was born in America.

Favorite tennis memory?

One of my favorite tennis memories is when I was a ball girl at a tournament at Edmond Center Court, because I got hit by a tennis ball twice and I got to meet the top players from OU and OSU.

Who is your tennis coach?

I have had multiple tennis coaches: Coach Brad Lund, Coach Jessica Reineke, Coach Mike Hays, Coach Isabella Dunlap and my current coach, Johnny Beleleu. My mom also coaches sometimes.

Where do you play tennis?

I play tennis in my neighborhood but I mostly play at my church, Britton Christian Church Tennis Academy.

What are some accomplishments you've had this year?

Some accomplishments are that I got consolation in singles.

What are you looking forward to in the future?

I want to become a pro tennis player but also have good grades.

What tennis racquet do you play with?

I play with Wilson Clash and Wilson Pro Staff racquet.

Do you prefer singles or doubles?

I like both singles and doubles. I like doubles because I get to play with my friends. I like singles because I get to make my own decisions.

Favorite restaurant?

I do not have a favorite restaurant.

Hobbies besides tennis?

Other hobbies I have are soccer, reading, math, origami, Rubik's cubes, swimming and table tennis.

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