WHS tennis standout Emma Sun ‘22 is ready to close out her four years on the WHS tennis team with a powerful senior performance.
Emma Sun is currently ranked in the top three in California and top 15 in the nation. She was also the MVP of the WHS tennis team and Maramonte League for the 2020–21 season.
“One of my favorite parts [of tennis] is winning,” said Emma Sun. “Winning [as a team] makes it even more fun because everyone can celebrate together.”
Emma Sun gets to celebrate with her sister, Megan Sun ‘24, who also plays for the team. Megan Sun normally plays singles matches, so she finds it interesting to see how her sister thinks on the court when they play together.
“She has been playing since a really young age, and she always tries her best,” said Megan Sun. “That is part of the reason why she has improved so much.”
Emma Sun started playing tennis at the age of six because her parents preferred the idea of her playing a non–contact sport. She quickly found a love for tennis, and one of her favorite parts is that the sport “is not restricted by your physique.”
Megan Sun followed in her sister’s footsteps, feeling both inspired and motivated by Emma Sun’s successes. Megan Sun encourages Emma Sun to “keep being herself.”
“When she is on the court she is very fearless and just goes for it,” said Megan Sun. “That is something I don’t do very well, so I look up to her for that.”
Emma Sun’s teammate Kaylynn Winter ’23 finds Emma Sun’s attitude and kindness to be a positive influence on herself and the team.
“The way she treats others on the team is really inspiring because she is kind to everybody,” said Winter. “She is a really good team player, cheers everyone on and is a good sport.”
Megan Sun views her sister in a similar way, describing her as hardworking, fearless, helpful and smart. Watching Emma Sun succeed has inspired Megan Sun in her own tennis aspirations.
“She motivates me to try harder and work toward my goal,” said Megan Sun. “She was a later achiever, so it inspires me to think that I can still get to her level if I keep working.”
Aside from her talent, Emma Sun’s teammates see her as a leader on the team, helping to bring everyone together. Winter said Emma Sun’s optimism allows her teammates to feel and play their best.
“[I would describe her as] positive because no matter if she wins or loses, she will come off the court and have a smile on her face,” said Winter.
Even from when she was younger, Emma Sun’s biggest goal was to play for Stanford University’s tennis team. She has been in contact with the coach and hopes to receive an opportunity to play there, but until then, she will keep working to improve her skills.
“There is always a higher goal no matter what you are going for,” said Emma Sun. “There is always someone better, and that is a good way for me to push myself.”
