Carol Young Suh Lee
CAROL Young Suh Lee, the lone representative of the Northern Marianas in the professional tennis ranks, etched her name into the history books last Tuesday, securing her first-ever WTA 125 victory at the Caldas da Rainha Ladies Open in Portugal. The 23-year-old former Georgia Tech standout displayed grit and determination, defeating the more experienced Vitalia Diatchenko 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the second round.
Lee’s triumph marks a major milestone, solidifying her presence on the international stage. Coming from a small island often overlooked internationally, her success resonates deeply. “It means a lot to me,” Lee shared in an interview with Variety. “I’m honored to compete in such well-known international tournaments, especially coming from a small island that many people have never even heard of.”
The journey to this historic win has been far from easy for Lee. Financial stability has been a constant hurdle, a challenge common for many aspiring athletes from smaller nations. “The biggest challenge for me has been financial stability,” she admitted. “Without a steady income or sponsorships, it can be tough to keep chasing my dream.” Despite these obstacles, Lee’s passion and talent have guided her.
Indeed, 2023 has been a banner year for Lee. She has already claimed an impressive four ITF titles — a testament to her consistent improvement and unwavering dedication. Among her proudest moments this season are winning the 15k, 35k, and 50k titles. “Those were goals I had set for myself this year and achieving them meant a lot,” she said.
With her recent success, Lee’s ambitions are growing. She shared that her ultimate dream is to break into the top 200 by the end of the year, a ranking that would open the door to Grand Slam qualifying.
Carol Young Suh Lee is well on her way to achieving those lofty goals, carrying the hopes and pride of the Northern Marianas with every swing.
