A Mental Anchor: Houston Teen Honors Black Tennis Legacy Through Play

HOUSTON, Texas — For Noel Hinton, an 18 year-old Black tennis player from the Houston area, says tennis has been more than a game—it’s been a lifeline, a mental anchor and a bridge to community. As we celebrate Black History Month and the enduring impact of African Americans in tennis—from pioneers like Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe to modern trailblazers—Hinton’s personal journey highlights how the sport continues to empower the next generation.

A standout on her high school tennis team, Hinton has learned that tennis demands far more than athletic skill. 

“Tennis has really shaped who I am, both on and off the court,” she said. “It’s taught me valuable life lessons, like how to read people, think quickly, and control my emotions.”

And she said among those lessons is mastering emotional control in high-pressure moments. 

“One of the most important things tennis has taught me is how to control my emotions,” Hinton explained. “I’ve been told by coaches that tennis is just as much a mental game as it is a physical one.”

With guidance from her mentor Coach Don Johnson, CEO & Co-Founder of Kids N’ Tennis, she has developed techniques like deep breathing to stay focused and composed, even when matches turn challenging—skills that strengthen her mentally far beyond the court.

The sport’s most profound impact came during a life-threatening health scare. Between sixth and seventh grade, Hinton trained rigorously, playing twice a day at the Zina Garrison Academy (ZGA) and Houston Parks and Recreation summer camps. Her intense activity level helped her mother spot warning signs, leading to a diabetes diagnosis after a clinic visit and a five-day hospital stay. 

“My mom says that if I hadn’t been so active with tennis, I might have had even more serious complications or maybe even lost my life,” Hinton recalled.