Akilah James

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What about Us

What about the lower ranked? What about the higher-ranked? Does ranking even matter? Tennis is an individual sport that allows you to connect with people and build life-changing bonds. Who says we all can’t eat. Why can’t we all make it to the top? Who even gives the right to take away that option for hard-working competitors?

Lower-ranking players are survivors, fighters, and ambitious. They have dreamt about making it to the top for a while now. For some, their story is more impactful than the rest. Most of them lack finances. Very few, inspirations die. Some are short skills. Lower-ranking players need the same opportunity as the rest. They should be able to get wildcards, sponsorships, etc. What good is the fight if you only recognize them on the top? There come up is just as important.

The higher ranking players are players who already made it and created their legacy. Look at Coco, Andreescu, Kenin, and many more. Young, talented, resilient, and ready to step up to the plate. Many of them started playing tennis at a young age. They already knew what it would take to make it to the top. Some of them worked their way to the top. Others had great connections that helped them drastically. I know it feels sweet, not having to worry about anything on the court. Everyone wants to get to this level.

What about the ranking that you worked your butt off trying to get? Does this count when there are two classes? In times of crisis, this must be hard to face. Your ranking may or may not mean anything. You worked hard to get to the Olympics, Grand Slams, WTA events, ITF events, and you still go unnoticed. I guess the question is, what is your goal at this point? What you worked for means everything. Look at the Williams sisters in 2020. People want them to quit so badly. Why should they have to depart from the sport they love? We should all be able to play for as long as we desire.