Growing up, Jennifer learned the basics of the sport at the early age of nine, as she watched her father play pick-up games at Rizal Sports Club, as her father’s sidekick during his tennis matches.
It would not take long for her father to take notice of her potential for greatness.
Not too long after, she entered her first competition as early as 10 years old, and more impressively, began winning tournaments by 12. Notable among her accomplishments was becoming a four-peat Champion run over at the Philippine Columbian Association Tennis Championship Women’s Singles from 1989 to 1992.
After much success in the local scene, she was chosen to compete in the international scene, participating in the Southeast Asian Games every other year from 1991 to 1997 starting from age 14.
As to how she ended up playing this sport and letting it eventually become her career, Jen said, “It just so happened when I got into it, I started competing then I started doing well. I started playing for the country then I just got into that path.”
Granted a sports scholarship to Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah, she decided to then pursue her collegiate studies abroad and bring her game to the United States. It was there that she represented BYU in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
In her four-year tenure at BYU, she further established herself in the field of tennis as she ranked first as a Women’s Singles and Doubles player while garnering All Western Athletic Conference Team ’92-’95 during her stay. In addition, she was given distinctions such as the Rolex Regional Rookie of the Year ’92-’93 and the NCAA Division I Player of the Year during 1994.
Her international resumé would even include participation in the most prestigious of tournaments like the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open.
It goes far beyond measure to challenge the best and achieve success along the way. But all these she attributes to time and dedication to the game.
“It takes a lot of hard work, commitment and sacrifice. International competition is tough. You really learn a lot,” she said.
Now that she’s part of the Blue Eagle family as their Lawn Tennis Coach, she brings that winning mentality to the young, driven individuals of the team.
In the end, all she asks is that the team does its best every time they play. But beyond any on-court achievement, she hopes that each student-athlete can “make the most out of it and whatever they learn here, eventually they could bring it with them along the way.”
