Alyssa Ahn graduated from the school in 2025 and competed in the U.S. Open Tennis Championships on Aug. 25, 2025.
How long have you been playing tennis for? What led you to decide that this was a passion?
Ahn: “I started playing tennis at around 7 years old. My dad introduced me to the sport because he played Division I tennis in college, and I decided this was a passion, fueled by the love I had for the sport, whether it was through training or competing.”
What do you like the most about tennis?
Ahn: “I love how tennis is an individual sport and requires the utmost mental toughness, which is a factor of my tennis that I am very confident in. The fact that tennis is individual is really special in the sense that you win and lose on your own, and take responsibility on both ends. I love competing, and though it requires a lot of hard work, the training and preparation aspect is fun as well. You’ve got to learn to enjoy the grind. I’ve also made so many amazing friends through the sport and met great people along the way, which makes the sport of tennis super fulfilling.”
How would you describe going to public school, when the standard pathway for people who aspire to play tennis in the professional circuit is homeschooling?
Ahn: “Obviously, it was tough navigating the rare circumstance of being [at] an in-person high school while pursuing a loaded tennis schedule, but I believe my experience at Torrey Pines has prepared me significantly for my transition to college.”
What does your training schedule look like? How did you balance academics with your training priorities?
Ahn: “Throughout high school, my training schedule, though intense, may not be as rigorous as my peers given the fact that I was all-in on school and wanted to ensure that academics were still a top priority. This may have meant I had to sacrifice some hours on the court, but I’ve always believed in quality over quantity.”
Can you describe the moment you realized you qualified for the U.S. Open?
Ahn: “When I realized that I had qualified for the main draw of the U.S. Open, it was a feeling that was so surreal and took a few days to really sink in. It’s always been such a dream of mine to play on a stage like the U.S. Open [which was] so fulfilling [and] felt amazing.”
Who were the people who were a huge influence on you?
Ahn: “My counselor, Natalie, Ms. Seward, was always so helpful to me and a wonderful resource. She helped me navigate through my grueling schedule, and gave me advice and answered my questions when I needed it.”
Were there any setbacks playing tennis during your high school years? If so, how were you able to overcome them?
Ahn: “The only setback I would say when playing tennis, and going to in-person high school, was having to manage a loaded schedule and finding an ideal balance of each. I stayed disciplined in both academics and tennis, but it came with a lot of late nights and early mornings.”
What are you looking forward to the most for your tennis career going forward? Do you have any big goals for your career in the next few years?
Ahn: “Besides competing in the U.S. Open main draw, I am most looking forward to my next four years at Stanford and contributing to the Stanford women’s tennis team. Of course, I have personal goals for myself, as an individual, but I am really excited to accomplish great things with the Stanford team and hopefully win some National Championships. I will continue making a push in the pro circuit throughout my college career as well.”
What are you most excited about experiencing your first U.S. Open?
Ahn: “I am most excited about taking in the moment at the U.S. Open with my family and team, who have supported me through my entire junior tennis journey. Enjoying New York City with them is going to be so much fun and, of course, I hope to play some good tennis as well.”
