In their own words: Lopa Zielinski on her family's love of tennis
As we celebrate Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month during May, the USTA also celebrates those in the AAPI community whose dedication to the sport as USTA volunteers helps to keep our game growing strong. With more than 350 national volunteers from all 17 USTA sections, it would be difficult to recognize every AAPI leader here. But we’re thrilled to highlight these volunteer leaders—in their own words—whose contributions, influence and enthusiasm continue to push this organization and this sport forward. Here, we highlight Lopa Zielinski of Madison, N.J.
Tennis has been part of my family’s fabric for nearly 50 years, spanning more than three generations and rooted with AAPI history. Shortly after my parents immigrated from India, they settled into an apartment next to the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, N.Y., where the US Open was held at that time. Their love for the game was enhanced there, and remains with our family today.
My parents subsequently moved to New Jersey, where my younger sister and I were born, and where we eventually played competitive junior tennis as members of the USTA Eastern Section.
We both continued on to play NCAA collegiate tennis. I was a former USTA ranked junior, then played Division I tennis at Lehigh University, where I was named twice to the All-Patriot League team (singles). I recently learned that I was the first Asian American in the history of Lehigh women's tennis to receive this honor.
Today, my son (age 15) and daughter (13) are both USTA competitive junior players, representing #TeamEastern, of course! My son is also enjoying high school tennis as a member of the current No. 1-ranked team in N.J./Top 10 team in the U.S. from Newark Academy in Livingston, N.J.
Lopa Zielinski and her family at the US Open. Photo courtesy of Lopa Zielinski.
I have volunteered in tennis in many capacities, previously in the Net Generation program and as a New Jersey region Junior Team Tennis captain/coach. Currently, I am serving my second term on the USTA Eastern Board, where I am an active member of many committees, including Audit; Charter and Bylaws; and Grievance. I further serve on the Executive Committee of the NJ Regional Council. In 2023, I started service on the USTA National Grievance Committee.
Off the tennis court, I am an attorney with an extensive background in governance, corporate law, securities and financial regulation. Currently, I am Managing Director, Corporate Secretary & General Counsel, Corporate Governance, at HSBC US & Americas.
Lopa Zielinski and her son. Photo courtesy of Lopa Zielinski.
It is important to recognize the achievements and contributions of the AAPI community to American history and culture. At the same time, it has become increasingly important to raise awareness as well. AAPI is the fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S., and well-represented in corporate America, yet largely absent in leadership roles. This same situation applies in the tennis community/industry.
So, when my friend Vania King (former Wimbledon and U.S. Open doubles champion, who broke a number of barriers herself) asked me to help establish the Asian American Pacific Islander Tennis Association (AAPITA), I was all in, in recognition of the important work ahead to develop, grow and elevate the visibility and interests of the AAPI tennis community. Today, I am honored to serve on the AAPITA Board, which is a collective of leaders, change-makers and advocates (www.aapita.org).
I have immense respect for my parents, as they were able to recognize barriers and break norms in order for me and my sister to compete in tennis – which in turn, taught us strength and resilience, of which I had no idea how much I would need.
In 2019, we lost my sister to a rare mucosal melanoma cancer. Outside of her own family, so much of her life was predicated on tennis—so it was only fitting that we celebrated and honored her in the same way, including dedicating a paver to her—Dr. Lisa Patel Waller—on the US Open Avenue of Aces (in the neighborhood of her all-time favorite player: Andre Agassi!).
My sister represented a true AAPI leader and role model—and she was my inspiration to increase my volunteer efforts. It makes the work that much more significant to me—helping to advocate in the area that was equally important to our family’s history—while now being able to serve a tennis community that taught us so many valuable skills applicable to life on and off the court.
—Edited by Peter Francesconi
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