By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
IN a milestone achievement for both her career and her home in the CNMI, professional tennis player Carol Lee has secured the championship at the National Sports Festival, South Korea’s highest-level athletic competition held annually in October.
This victory not only cements her status as a top athlete but also earns her the coveted No. 1 spot in the annual accumulated rankings among all players registered with the Korea Tennis Association.
Lee’s win at the National Sports Festival is particularly significant, as she is the first female player who grew up abroad to compete domestically in South Korea and win a major tournament — a triumph she credits with helping to raise public awareness of Saipan.
The National Sports Festival, which represents the pinnacle of athletic excellence in South Korea, was not originally on Lee’s schedule. However, competing in the Korean tennis circuit made her recognize the event’s profound importance.
“I realized how meaningful the National Sports Festival is in Korea, especially for the team I represent. I felt a strong desire to give back to my Korean team, who accepted me and supported my professional journey. I was also motivated to perform well and win to further raise awareness for Saipan,” said Lee in an interview with Variety.
She is currently back home in Saipan following a long period of travel and competition, stating that she returned home to recharge and spend time with her family.
“I was feeling mentally and physically exhausted, and before heading out again for another long period on tour, I needed time to rest,” Lee said. “While home, I am taking the opportunity to train and receive lessons from my father, particularly on technical and tactical areas, to prepare for my upcoming tournaments, including the Brisbane W50 and the Australian Open.”
Her father, whom she considers to have the same level of impact and coaching ability as the various professional coaches she’s worked with, continues to serve as her coach and mentor.
“I can confidently say that my father has the same level of impact and coaching ability as many others I’ve trained with. One thing I really hope for is that my father will one day have access to a tennis court where he can coach others — including me — comfortably and consistently,” Lee shared.
Lee’s journey from Saipan has deeply shaped her success. She attributes her strong sense of identity, discipline, work ethic, and appreciation for every opportunity to her upbringing. She recalls having free access to public courts where she trained with her father and the local tennis community, saying:
“I’m also grateful for the local tournaments that allowed both youth and adults to compete, enjoy the sport, and gain opportunities to travel abroad. I think these experiences helped open doors for young athletes to build their tennis journeys.”
Most importantly, Lee’s parents instilled in her the belief in dreaming big. This mindset allowed her to dismiss the notion that coming from a small island meant having small dreams — and that, with hard work, sacrifice, and dedication, she could achieve anything she set her mind to.
Coming from a small island with big dreams to returning home as a professional tennis player, Lee described the experience as a very humbling and proud moment shared with her team T2B Academy, Juan and 358 Sports Management Agency, and sponsors like Head Tennis, Volty’s, and Quiet Please, the CNMI community, and her parents.
“I am truly grateful for the support I’ve received over the years, and I hope that my journey encourages young players from small islands to believe that they can achieve their dreams and purpose, no matter where they come from,” she said.
Lee’s immediate plan is to compete at the Brisbane W50 ITF before the year ends, after which she will assess her world ranking and adjust her schedule. Her primary focus, however, is on preparing for the Australian Open next year — an event she is looking forward to.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.