Erika Moe Finds Inspiration Through Tennis and Family

“I can’t be as physically hands-on as I used to be, especially with beginners, but I’ve learned to be more descriptive. I’ve taught people who thought they’d never play again after injuries or surgeries. I call it ‘rehab tennis,’ showing people that anything is possible,” Moe said.

During her recovery, her family became her rock. Her daughters, top junior players in New England, helped immensely, both on and off the court.

“They were incredible,” she says. “I told my husband Jeff, ‘You need to keep their tennis going—that’s their normal. Me being away isn’t.’”

Moe began teaching her girls tennis as soon as they could walk, starting with balloons and bubbles to build hand-eye coordination, and she has been working with them ever since.

These days, much of Moe’s joy comes from road trips to tennis tournaments with her daughters. Whether it’s just the two of them in the car or the whole family, the hours spent traveling have become invaluable.

“I’ll travel with Kaya to one tournament and Jeff takes Karina to another and then we’ll try to switch off. That one-on-one time is awesome. You can’t replace it,” Moe said. “When they’re sitting next to you in the car, they can’t escape you. There are no distractions, and the conversations become more real. You really get to know your kid in those moments.”

As the girls have grown, so have the conversations. Moe treasures the chance to explore new cities, try different cuisines and watch her daughters grow both as players and people. 

“I grew up in Southern California and often traveled with my mother to tournaments. We’re creating new memories that I hope they’ll look back on fondly, just like I do with my mom,” she said. 

As Moe reflects on those shared experiences, she’s also reminded of the traditions that shaped her own childhood. Her Japanese heritage, in particular, has remained meaningful throughout her life. Her mother spoke to her in Japanese, enrolled her in language school and brought her to Japan every year to visit family. 

Moe has made an effort to pass that connection on to her daughters, taking them to Japan when they were young and encouraging family time. 

“They love the food, and my mom still tells them stories about the culture,” she said. “One of my goals is to take one more family trip there while my mom and aunt are still healthy.”

Through every challenge and milestone, Moe has found strength in family, culture and a lifelong love for tennis. Tennis is what’s normal for the Moes, and with tennis a part of their lives, anything is possible.