Asian American Pacific Islander Month Highlight: JT Nishimura

In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Month, USTA NorCal is celebrating local players and professionals around Northern California. In this article we are highlighting JT Nishimura. Having started playing tennis at 8 years old, JT not only played through 18s and competed in various USTA tournaments, but national and international tournaments as well.

Along with these accomplishments, JT also participated in team events, Junior Team Tennis, Zonal, Intersectional, Maze Cup, and the National Junior Team. After playing 4 years for the UC Berkeley Cal men’s team and  spending 1 year as their assistant coach. JT graduated from Cal, and went on the be  Director of junior development at a tennis club for 3 years. Currently, JT is working and traveling with Bianca Andreescu on the women's WTA Circuit on a full-time basis.

Q&A with JT Nishimura

Q: In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, why do you think it’s important to have diverse representation within the tennis community?

A: Diversity at all levels is really important and beneficial. Regardless of race, gender, age etc, I think the more diversity you have, it promotes creativity, different perspectives on life and the world, and new opportunities. 

My college teammates were from France, Sweden, Australia, Japan, and from the U.S. We had an amazing time supporting each other but also learning from each other. We were different because we were raised in different cultures and countries but though we spoke different languages, and had different upbringings, we were like brothers with the same passion for tennis and competing. That was what was awesome about the team experience. We were diverse and at the same time, we were one and the same.  We learned that we are more alike than we are different. 

Q: Who has been a asian/pacific islander role model or inspiration for you?

A: I don’t know that I’ve had any specific role model, but what inspires me is