From Grief to Grit: How Tennis Gave Andrew Lavine a Path Through Tragedy

That fire became essential when Lavine’s life changed dramatically at age 15. His mother died unexpectedly of a rare medical condition, a loss that not only altered his family but also redefined his perspective on tennis and on life.

“Losing my mom at 15 impacted me on court by teaching me the power of fighting and heart,” he said. “It gave me an edge and a fire inside that ultimately helped me keep going in the lowest of times. She taught me resilience and grit, and also that losing a point in tennis isn’t the end of the world compared to the bigger problems life can throw at you.”

Off the court, grief reshaped his outlook in profound ways. Lavine said he learned not to worry about outside judgment, to pursue his goals without hesitation, and to value the present moment.

“After seeing someone go so unexpectedly, your lens alters in a way like no other,” he said. “You realize how limited your time is here. You become urgent about your wants, but you also enjoy every day and understand how precious it is.”

Through those years, family support provided strength, but tennis became his sanctuary. The sport gave him structure and purpose at a time when life could have easily felt aimless.

“Tennis was always there as an escape,” Lavine said. “It gave me something to look forward to when life almost felt pointless. Whether it was playing, watching, or reading about the sport, it kept me moving forward. Tennis put me on a mission, and that’s how I truly fell in love with the game.”

He shortened his high school schedule to focus on training, woke up at 5am to get court time before classes, and ultimately moved to online schooling: trading the typical high school experience for more time on court. Just before signing a college team commitment, he took his biggest leap yet – relocating alone to Barcelona, Spain, to continue his development as both a player and a person.

His hard work culminated in his first professional tournament appearance, an experience Lavine describes as unforgettable.

“It felt unreal to have supporters from the club, ranging from older people to little kids,” he said. “Hearing claps, having an audience, even being live streamed back to my family in the U.S. — it was a magical feeling.”

The most meaningful moment, however, wasn’t on the court. After one of his matches, Lavine noticed a group of local kids watching him in awe.

“That was me just a couple of years ago,” he said. “The best part was being authentic with the kids and telling them it’s all possible. Hopefully I inspired them to believe they could be here one day too.”

Even more powerful was sharing the milestone with his brother Alex, who has been by his side since the very beginning.

“He’s been there since the day I picked up the racket,” Lavine said. “He’s supported me in the worst of times and in the best of times. We share a special bond like no other.”

Now 19, Lavine measures success differently than he once did. For him, it’s less about rankings or trophies and more about how he can influence others.

“Success isn’t defined by results,” he said. “It’s really about how impactful you are to the people around you. All of the hardship I went through is making me into an inspiration to others.”

As for what comes next, Lavine’s goals remain clear but grounded. On the court, he wants to continue pushing himself while keeping the love for the game at the center of everything he does. Off the court, he is focusing on living fully in the present.

“We only have one thing, and that’s right now,” he said. “We aren’t getting the past back and we don’t know what the future holds.”

With his experience and a growing platform as a player, Lavine hopes to continue spreading a message of resilience, whether by sharing his own struggles or offering advice to young athletes facing similar obstacles.

“I want people to know anything is possible,” he said. “You only need one person to believe in you. If you have that passion and don’t give up, you can make it happen.”