One Texas. One Tennis: Isabela Vargas

One Texas. One Tennis. is a series highlighting the many faces, voices and experiences of Texas Tennis. Everyone is welcome on the tennis court and when we’re open, we’re at our best. On courts across Texas, every player has a story and those stories show the true diversity and strength of our tennis community. Want to share your story: CLICK HERE

For Isabela Vargas, tennis is a place of magic, focus, and deep personal connection. What began at age seven as a departure from ballet quickly transformed into a life-defining passion, providing a vibrant court environment where she can shed outside noise, embrace competition, and channel her energy into constant growth.

Guided by dedicated coaches and shaped by both fierce opponents and meaningful volunteer work with ACEing Autism, she carries tennis’s vital lesson off the court: tune out negativity, focus strictly on what you can control, and show up with genuine kindness. Ultimately, Isabela views the game as a powerful equalizer—a sport capable of breaking down barriers, elevating shared joy, and building a truly inclusive community where everyone feels seen and welcomed.

USTA Texas: How did you first get involved in tennis, and what kept you coming back to the court?

Isabela Vargas: I started playing tennis when I was 7 years old. I used to dance ballet, but once I tried tennis, I got hooked. It is where I feel my best. When I’m on the court I forget about everything, and I can focus on things my body can do. I love the colors, the sky, making friends, running into old ones and of course competing. The court has magic to me.

USTA Texas: Who in the tennis community has had the biggest impact on your journey? And why?

Vargas: My coaches Hunter Bajoit and Vince Casasiego because they’re focused and dedicated. It’s amazing what they do; how they can observe everything we do and fix things. Vince takes a very analytical approach to teaching but makes it relatable.

The people I train with have also had a big impact on me because they challenge me in a fun way. Even the opponents I face in matches have a big impact on my journey. There are even lessons to be learned from the people who cheat or aren’t as nice because it is good training to prepare me for life on and off the court.

USTA Texas: What is one lesson tennis has taught you that you carry with you off the court?

Vargas: I’ve definitely learned to keep negativity at bay because it drains your energy. Negative thoughts on and off the court can really hinder your ability to focus on what’s in front of you and what you can actually control.

USTA Texas: What are you most proud of with your tennis journey?

Vargas: I often take the most pride in playing well during challenging, competitive matches, even those that end in a loss over easy wins against opponents of a lower skill level. I feel "in my element" and relaxed while focused on the court. I can come off the court and be proud of my accomplishment, even when I lose, if I know I played my best game and worked to figure things out on the court. When I am able to implement the skills I learned in practice, even if they aren’t 100% honed yet, I can leave the court with my head held high, knowing I did everything in my skill range to compete to the best of my ability.

USTA Texas: What is it about the tennis community that helps people from different backgrounds connect?

Vargas: I think that at heart, it’s the joy that we feel when we’re moving (endorphins, dopamine etc) and being outside, along with engaging in play is a fertile ground to let us forget all the noise. Noise to me is our skin color, politics, the news…any outside factor that distracts us from our goals. 

That’s when values like sportsmanship and kindness shine a light in life. They make our world just a little better.