Mathilde Gilles '23 Recruiting Profile

Five years of gymnastics and one year of soccer were what it took for me to find out that tennis is the only sport for me. On the court, everything felt right. The mental challenge to keep the ball from going out, the strength to deliver a winner to my opponent, and the stamina to keep on my toes for hours-straight matches are all parts of what I love about tennis. It quickly became my biggest passion in life, so much that my parents installed a tennis wall in my backyard so I never had to go a day without hitting a ball.

I never took my talent for granted. Every day that I step onto the court I strive to be a better player than the day before. I’m not afraid of the sacrifices I’ll have to make because I know that tennis is my future and that playing pro is my greatest aspiration in life. I’d rather fail a thousand times and finally, come up victorious than simply give up. I think that is why I will go far in my career.

Now, I have the will, the drive, the talent, and years of practice on me. There’s only the matter of who is going to help me make that great leap from New England champion to world victor.  Playing college tennis would be my next step to becoming the exceptional tennis player that I strive to be!