Opportunity To Compete Internationally Fosters Growth For James
12/9/2021 11:02:00 AM | Women's Tennis, Student Athlete, Features
By Sydney Weber '22, Lehigh Sports Communications
A young tennis star, Junmoke James never knew she would be competing abroad or receiving endless recognition for her star position on the Lehigh women's tennis team.
James started playing tennis when she was six years old. She loved the thrill, competition, and sport, and knew she wanted to pursue her passion for the sport through her college career. Years later, as a sophomore in college, James tied for a team-high eight combined wins, and totaled a 4-3 mark in singles action with three of those wins coming at the No. 3 spot. She also registered a 4-3 mark in doubles action at the No. 3 spot.
James said herself that the goal from when she started playing in tennis tournaments at around eight years old was to eventually get good enough to earn a college scholarship.
James continued, "In high school, I ramped up tennis even more, started training four hours a day at my academy, and played more big southern tournaments and national tournaments in order to get that exposure to college coaches."
Her junior year of high school, James visited Lehigh and received an offer from Coach Sarah Hendrix, who still remains the head coach of the Mountain Hawks today.
Hendrix has always adored the passion that James has carried throughout her tennis career at Lehigh for her teammates, and the sport itself. Hendrix has also adored her kind-hearted, charismatic personality on and off the court as well.
"She sets an example for her teammates in the way that she competes during matches," said Hendrix. ". She is a junior playing at the top of the lineup and she is super locked in when playing a match."
Hendrix continued, "Junmoke has really come out of her shell in terms of how vocal she is on the court since freshman year. She is really able to pump herself up, as well as the team, even if a point is lost on her end. She has really developed confidence on the court, which is amazing."
Having confidence on the court is important as it drives a stable and motivated mind, according to James. These key aspects of her personality, as well as her ability to perform well-above stellar on the court, have also allowed James to compete abroad –places where she also considers home.
James said that three years ago, she was playing at Jamaica's national training center in Kingston when she caught the eye of Tennis Jamaica.
"Tennis Jamaica saw me play and asked me if I could represent Jamaica in the Billie Jean King Cup in Bolivia," James said. "Of course I said yes. It was such an honor to represent my mother's country and an experience that I'll remember for the rest of my life."
James explained that her experience in Bolivia has allowed her to improve even more. At the Billie Jean King Cup event in Bolivia, James was one of the seven players on team Jamaica. The team was split into two pools as part of the Group II Americas Zone.
The tournament included other nations such as Barbados, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica and Puerto Rico, which allowed James to meet new people and experience new tennis techniques.
"Playing with people across the country has allowed me to notice and take advantage of the different techniques that different tennis players have," James said. "Here in America, I notice that my teammates and I play tennis similarly. Abroad, it is interesting to compare my skills with others."
James also credited playing in the tournament abroad to contributing to her confidence on the court.
"Prior to playing in this tournament abroad, I was always confident on the court but doubted myself and was nervous to play against people that were just as competitive as I, just as anyone else would be," she said. "However, playing abroad has allowed me to understand other techniques in tennis and develop more confidence on the court."
James explained that playing abroad has opened a new chapter for her – she is looking forward to taking her passion for tennis and Lehigh abroad again, with the possibility of playing in another international tournament in the future.
Sophomore teammate Anushka Dania has always looked up to James, as she sets an example for her teammates in the way that she competes during matches.
Dania said, "She is a junior playing at the top of the lineup and she is super locked in when playing a match. She is great under pressure and is a really strong competitor."
James's talent on the court was also demonstrated by competing in Lehigh's first three events: the Bill & Sandra Moore Invitational, the Lehigh Invitational and the ITA Regional Championships.
James's experience playing in such tournaments and being a key player on the Mountain Hawks has also allowed her to learn several lessons, some of which she stands by to help those transitioning onto the team as first-years.
"I strive to work hard, be respectful and be humble," James said. "It is so difficult going from junior tennis, an extremely ultra-competitive individual, where it is all about yourself, to going to a team. However, as long as you practice hard, try your best and be fair to everyone, you can get so much accomplished, not just for yourself, but also the team as a whole."
A young tennis star, Junmoke James never knew she would be competing abroad or receiving endless recognition for her star position on the Lehigh women's tennis team.
James started playing tennis when she was six years old. She loved the thrill, competition, and sport, and knew she wanted to pursue her passion for the sport through her college career. Years later, as a sophomore in college, James tied for a team-high eight combined wins, and totaled a 4-3 mark in singles action with three of those wins coming at the No. 3 spot. She also registered a 4-3 mark in doubles action at the No. 3 spot.
James said herself that the goal from when she started playing in tennis tournaments at around eight years old was to eventually get good enough to earn a college scholarship.
James continued, "In high school, I ramped up tennis even more, started training four hours a day at my academy, and played more big southern tournaments and national tournaments in order to get that exposure to college coaches."
Her junior year of high school, James visited Lehigh and received an offer from Coach Sarah Hendrix, who still remains the head coach of the Mountain Hawks today.
Hendrix has always adored the passion that James has carried throughout her tennis career at Lehigh for her teammates, and the sport itself. Hendrix has also adored her kind-hearted, charismatic personality on and off the court as well.
"She sets an example for her teammates in the way that she competes during matches," said Hendrix. ". She is a junior playing at the top of the lineup and she is super locked in when playing a match."
Hendrix continued, "Junmoke has really come out of her shell in terms of how vocal she is on the court since freshman year. She is really able to pump herself up, as well as the team, even if a point is lost on her end. She has really developed confidence on the court, which is amazing."
Having confidence on the court is important as it drives a stable and motivated mind, according to James. These key aspects of her personality, as well as her ability to perform well-above stellar on the court, have also allowed James to compete abroad –places where she also considers home.
James said that three years ago, she was playing at Jamaica's national training center in Kingston when she caught the eye of Tennis Jamaica.
"Tennis Jamaica saw me play and asked me if I could represent Jamaica in the Billie Jean King Cup in Bolivia," James said. "Of course I said yes. It was such an honor to represent my mother's country and an experience that I'll remember for the rest of my life."
James explained that her experience in Bolivia has allowed her to improve even more. At the Billie Jean King Cup event in Bolivia, James was one of the seven players on team Jamaica. The team was split into two pools as part of the Group II Americas Zone.
The tournament included other nations such as Barbados, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica and Puerto Rico, which allowed James to meet new people and experience new tennis techniques.
"Playing with people across the country has allowed me to notice and take advantage of the different techniques that different tennis players have," James said. "Here in America, I notice that my teammates and I play tennis similarly. Abroad, it is interesting to compare my skills with others."
James also credited playing in the tournament abroad to contributing to her confidence on the court.
"Prior to playing in this tournament abroad, I was always confident on the court but doubted myself and was nervous to play against people that were just as competitive as I, just as anyone else would be," she said. "However, playing abroad has allowed me to understand other techniques in tennis and develop more confidence on the court."
James explained that playing abroad has opened a new chapter for her – she is looking forward to taking her passion for tennis and Lehigh abroad again, with the possibility of playing in another international tournament in the future.
Sophomore teammate Anushka Dania has always looked up to James, as she sets an example for her teammates in the way that she competes during matches.
Dania said, "She is a junior playing at the top of the lineup and she is super locked in when playing a match. She is great under pressure and is a really strong competitor."
James's talent on the court was also demonstrated by competing in Lehigh's first three events: the Bill & Sandra Moore Invitational, the Lehigh Invitational and the ITA Regional Championships.
James's experience playing in such tournaments and being a key player on the Mountain Hawks has also allowed her to learn several lessons, some of which she stands by to help those transitioning onto the team as first-years.
"I strive to work hard, be respectful and be humble," James said. "It is so difficult going from junior tennis, an extremely ultra-competitive individual, where it is all about yourself, to going to a team. However, as long as you practice hard, try your best and be fair to everyone, you can get so much accomplished, not just for yourself, but also the team as a whole."
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Tennis
Thursday, April 17
2024-2025 Women's Tennis Season Preview
Thursday, January 30
Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Tennis
Wednesday, March 06
