AAPI Month: Georgia’s Mia Yamakita makes professional impact as 17-year-old

At the age of 17, Mia Yamakita is having an impressive run in the last 12 months.

The Johns Creek, Ga. resident and high school senior holds WTA world rankings in singles (908) and doubles (670), has won two USTA Pro Circuit doubles titles (Hilton Head Island and Huntsville) and reached the doubles finals of two others (Bethany Beach and Brossard).

She has also made it a priority to highlight May with National Tennis Month and Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month on her calendar. Yamakita is a daughter to two Japanese immigrants to the U.S.

"I'm very proud of my heritage, " explains Yamakita. "I represent the U.S., but my heritage is from Japan."

It even goes as far as watching other players of Asian heritage and seeing how they approach their craft.

"When I see other players that look like me, I'm inspired. I'm not the tallest or the strongest and it gives me motivation. We learn from each other."

Ena Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama are two players Yamakita singled out as professional players she likes to watch. Both are accomplished doubles players with impressive results on the WTA Tour.

"Not only are they tremendous players, but also great people,” adds Yamakita. “I've been fortunate enough to practice with Ena."

Yamakita is always in “learning mode” and has noticed that there are a lot of Asian Americans in the junior ranks. Alanis Hamilton is another 17 year-old that Yamakita can relate to as a player. But she noted that she has drawn inspiration from one of the top men's players of the last decade.

Top influence: Kei Nishikori

That would be the top Japanese player, Kei Nishikori.

"I actually had dinner with him one time. I see he's helping a lot of the younger kids in Japan. He's stood the test of time and is inspirational."

Yamakita not only is proud of her heritage, but also talks often about being from Atlanta and the support she has received through her junior career from the community and USTA Southern.

Yamakita was ranked No. 1 at USTA Girls’ 12 & under singles and doubles. She also has been a Clay Court Championships 18s Doubles finalist. She was a female winner of the USTA Southern's Dewitt Redgrave III Junior Achievement Award in 2023. One of her doubles titles was at the ignaural USTA Southern $15K Pro Circuit event last year.

"It means something getting recognition in Atlanta. I was born in Atlanta. It's where tennis started for me. My parents moved to the U.S. and I started at two years old, when they bought me my first racquet at one of the USTA League locations in Atlanta."

Yamakita plans to play national junior tournaments throughout the summer, but it's the ITF and USTA Pro Circuit events that have helped her game develop.

"Competing in the pro tournaments is such a profound experience," stated Yamakita. "I started (playing) these when I was around 14 or 15. The professional environment is extremely different. It allows me to see what I need to work on and they don't let you get away with anything easy."

Combine that with working for almost 10 years with an experienced coach in Brian DeVilliers and Yamakita feels she's ready for additional breakout results. One of DeVilliers’s most famous pupils was former US Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin.

"I do want to up my game in singles. I am (working) on a bigger serve, my mental game and improving habits on and off the court."

Heading to Nashville and Vanderbilt
Yamakita has verbally committed to Vanderbilt. "I'm excited not only for tennis, but also for academics."

Before all of that, there is a "little" tournament in New York that Yamakita has her eyes on. The US Open. Yamakita got a taste of the Big Apple in 2023, playing in the junior doubles draw.

"I was fortunate to play last year in the girls doubles. It's such a totally different atmosphere than playing anywhere else. From the stadiums to the people to New York itself. I had fun. It's where I want to be."

As for the organizations and people Yamakita would like to thank at this point, the USTA Southern and her family are at the top of the list.

"I'm so proud to represent USTA Southern any chance I get. I'm so grateful for the opportunities they have given me. I wouldn't be at this spot without their help."

Yamakita agrees tennis is a family sport and sometimes the entire family offers support. "My parents are always making time to travel with me, watch my matches and practices."

The fact that Yamakita's parents came from an entirely different country and this is all new to them, makes it even more special.

"My grandparents even watch streaming from the other side of the world. They stay up at night and cheer and follow the tennis. It makes me happy that I can make them happy."