108. A JAM PACKED YEAR

And just like that, another year has passed and life on the tour has been busy and extremely fulfilling. As a parent travelling with a pro player, I have taken 46 flights this years alone and visited 16 countries, some on multiple occasions, and 6 of the 7 Continents. I have slept in over 30 different beds in at least 30 hotels worldwide and have dined out in more restaurants than I can recall. But I constantly remind myself how fortunate and blessed I am, to be able to travel the world at my more senior age, with my daughter, whilst watching a sport that I have loved all my life but never quite been good enough to compete at any recognisable level. 

There have been many highs and lows this year, as always, as well as some ‘firsts’ and some milestone achievements. Highlights for sure include witnessing my player win her first main draw match at Wimbledon; her first WTA title; 3 W75 Challenger titles and seeing her delight at reaching a ranking inside the top 100; as well of course, as watching her share the court and play against some of the greats – Su-Wei Hsieh, Elise Mertens, Belinda Bencic, Mate Pavic, and Lyudmyla Kichenok in particular.

Other highlights include traveling to new countries, far and wide, most notably to China, New Zealand, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic, and learning new things about these fascinating parts of the world. I always try to read up about the places I go to and try and see at least a little beyond the hotel and tennis club.

I have written 36 blogs this year and these, and earlier blogs, have been viewed almost 15,000 times. I have continued to meet fascinating people on the tour, not only players but also officials, coaches, and local people at tournament venues, and I am constantly learning more and more about this gruelling sport and the inner workings of the pro tour. I am grateful for the blog following and hope that I am helping to at least shed a tiny light on what life on the tour is really like. It remains as brutal as ever for the players – especially the constant travel across time zones and the adjustment needed to perform at the top level. These pro players are to be admired and respected – pro tennis is like no other sport out there.

Here’s to a happy, healthy and successful 2025 for all those competing on the pro tennis tour and to many more exciting trips to far flung places around the globe! There are more blogs to come for sure and more insights into the good, the bad and the reality of life on the pro tour from a parent’s perspective!

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