Huimin Ponchart started playing tennis in 2022 by taking beginner group lessons at the University of Michigan. She now plays tennis four to five times a week, mixing private lessons, semi-private sessions, group drills, fun matches with friends, and solo practice against the wall wherever she can find a court. We were delighted to catch up with her recently for this exclusive CourtMerch interview!
Complete this sentence. Tennis is ____.
HP: ... a game of chasing fuzzy yellow balls, where grunts, spins, and epic rallies turn into mini battles of wit and athleticism. Each match helps me grow as a person and become better.
What do you think about singles vs. doubles? Do you have a preference? Talk about what you like or don't like about each.
HP: I enjoy both singles and doubles. I’ve played more singles since I started playing tennis, but lately, I’ve really come to enjoy doubles. In singles, I feel like a wild leopard, free to run anywhere and fully in control, with no pressure to collaborate, and I rarely get nervous. However, there’s less teamwork involved. Doubles, on the other hand, teaches me about teamwork, strategy, leadership, and quick reactions, though it can make me nervous at times, especially when partnering with difficult personalities. Plus, the court can feel a bit more crowded.
Tell us about your experience as a USTA team captain.
HP: I’ve been a team captain twice—once for a singles team and once for a summer 18-and-over women’s 3.0 team at Chippewa Club [in Ann Arbor, Michigan]. I really enjoy being a captain, as it helps me develop my leadership and social skills while learning from each of my teammates. It also motivates me to improve as a player and guide the team to better results.
You selected team shirts that say Allez! on the front from CourtMerch. Tell us how you decided on that design.
HP: At first, we were drawn to the pink color, but later I learned that "Allez" in French is an interjection used to encourage someone to get moving or get going. It's similar to English expressions like "Come on!", "Let's go!", or "You've got this!"
How do you and your teammates like the Allez! team shirts?
HP: Everyone on my team loved the shirt and the meaning of Allez. We wore them for every match. At the end of the season, we took lots of pictures at the team party.
Please tell us about any compliments you've received on your team shirts!
HP: The team feels very grateful that we were able to create our team T-shirts in such a short timeframe and with a small order quantity. I've gotten a lot of feedback, including:
- “Love the design of this T-shirt! It really captures the spirit of our team.”
- “The colors are fantastic.”
- “The fit of this T-shirt is great.”
- “It is very comfortable to wear during the matches.”