Host Jeremy C. Park talks with tennis professional, Catherine Harrison, who shares her journey from growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, to becoming a nationally top-ranked junior and collegiate player and transitioning to competing professionally. She discusses her college experience at UCLA, where she further developed her skills and achieved significant breakthroughs in her tennis career, including winning the 2015 PAC-12 Tennis Championship and was part of UCLA's 2014 NCAA Championship team. Catherine turned pro after college and has been playing on the ITF and WTA tours, where she has won both singles and doubles titles. During the interview, Catherine reflects on her professional journey, including her favorite tennis moment at Wimbledon. She talks about the "business" and psychology of playing professionally, some of her daily routines and how she manages a busy touring schedule, and then shares helpful coaching advice she's received, and offers advice to aspiring players about facing challenges and building resilience to succeed on and off the tennis court. It's a must watch for any tennis player and any junior player competing competitively.
Catherine Harrison's Tennis Journey
Catherine Harrison, a professional tennis player, shares her journey from growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, to becoming a successful athlete. She discusses her early exposure to tennis, influenced by her parents who played collegiately, and her transition to a tennis academy in Florida, which was a significant turning point in her career.
Catherine describes her experience at a tennis academy where she had a strict daily schedule from 7:45 AM to 5:30 PM, including match play and fitness sessions. She notes that the club had a competitive culture where the "cool kids" were those who dedicated themselves to training, unlike the more relaxed atmosphere she was used to. After one year due to her parents' living situation, she transitioned from being a good regional player to becoming top 10 in the country, with coach Peter Lebedevs, also a professional tennis tournament director, providing guidance throughout her junior career.
Catherine's Journey to Professional Tennis
Catherine discusses her transition from junior to collegiate to professional tennis, highlighting a pivotal moment at the professional tournament held in Memphis, Tennessee at The Racquet Club of Memphis where she received a wild card and played on the stadium court for her WTA Tour main-draw debut at the 2011 Cellular South Cup, which solidified her dream of becoming a professional tennis player. She emphasized the importance of education, as both her parents played college tennis, and she valued the opportunity to receive a full four-year scholarship. Jeremy and Catherine then talk about her experience at UCLA, where she played college tennis and they share a mutual friend in coach, Giancarlo "G.C." Cava, who had a positive impact on her career. Catherine describes how she initially struggled with being placed lower in the lineup but eventually used that as an opportunity to develop consistency and mental discipline. She achieved a significant breakthrough by winning the Pac-12 tournament as a junior, which helped her transition to playing number one singles and doubles in her senior year.
Challenges in Professional Tennis Career
Catherine then discusses the significant differences between college and professional tennis, highlighting the intense pressure and financial risks in the pro circuit. She details the meticulous planning and logistics required for tournaments, including equipment, travel, and health management.
Catherine's Emotional Wimbledon Victory
Catherine shares her favorite tennis moment thus far, which was playing and winning matches at Wimbledon in 2022 after years of trying to qualify for the tournament. She describes her emotional journey, from being an alternate to winning her first and second-round qualifying matches, and ultimately reaching the final qualifying round. She manages to overcome her nerves and "nightmares" to win the match by channeling her inner strength. The victory was particularly meaningful for Catherine as it helped her overcome past struggles in important matches and marked her first taste of Grand Slam success.
Overcoming Challenges in Tennis
Catherine discusses the psychological challenges of playing tennis, emphasizing the importance of overcoming adversity and using tennis as a platform to build confidence and resilience. Catherine shares her personal growth through tennis, highlighting the value of making quick decisions and trusting instincts during matches. She describes her morning routine and concludes with advice to aspiring tennis players, emphasizing that success often comes after facing challenges and setbacks.
Follow Catherine Harrison on Instagram at / catharris0n