Published August 21, 2026 | 5 min read

This summer we spent time with five players who are working their way up the regional rankings. Each of them has a different story, from a late start in the sport to a long road back from a wrist injury.

Between matches, they talk about the same things: keeping a steady routine, managing nerves when the crowd is loud and learning to accept a bad day without losing focus. Several of them keep handwritten match notes, which they review with their coach after every tournament.

The portraits in this feature were taken on the practice courts and in the stands between sessions, where the light is softer and the players tend to relax. We chose moments that show the work behind the results rather than the trophies.