"If I weren’t a tennis pro, I’d want to be a lawyer when I grow up." Unsurprising from a kid spouting out random plans for the future, but amazing from a 14-year old girl who has gone far into actually realizing her dreams. Jessica Agra, currently ranked Number One in the 16 and under division according to the Philippine Tennis Association, startled me with the confidence and determination she exuded while describing her passion and plans for her tennis career. I couldn’t help grinning as Jessica, having just come back from winning as Champion in the Doubles Tournament at the ITF Group 5 Tournament in Egypt last July, proudly showed me her gold-plated trophy.

Jessica, born November 10, 1991, picked up the sport of tennis when she was but 6 years old and has been seriously competing since she was 8. She is currently ranked No. 497 by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in the juniors/amateurs category. Her goal is to be among the Top 10 of the World before her 20^{th birthday. As she gets older, she will be joining more professional events sanctioned by the Women’s Tennis Association. She has recently enrolled as a 2nd year high school student at the School of Tomorrow under a Homeschool program.}

"It hasn’t always been easy," Jessica herself admits. Born to highly-educated parents Attorney Alberto Agra (from the Ateneo Law School) and Jean Lim-Agra, Jessica was brought up in a world wherein athletic competition at the international level wasn’t highly encouraged. Despite full support from her parents who are tennis fanatics themselves, Jessica had to face criticism from previous teachers and administrators who didn’t fully comprehend the absences and long training hours competing in the sport entailed. Enrolled in Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA), Jessica was a bright girl who hated failure and was traumatized each time she went back to school after a short absence and was unable to catch up. After grade 3, Jessica transferred to Colegio San Agustin (CSA) where she met Fr. Julian C. Mazana who luckily was fully supportive of the come-and-go lifestyle of a pro-athlete. Fr. Julian eventually became a mentor to Jessica, who faced a difficult period when finally deciding to transition into homeschooling early this year.

Jessica is a member of the Junior Federation 16u Cup Team and a sponsored athlete of Adidas Philippines, Sports Resources Inc. (distributor of Prince raquets) and Powerbar. In her maiden year in the international juniors 18 and under, Jessica competed in 10 international tournaments, the maximum number of tournaments allowed for her age. Now on her 2nd year in the ITF circuit, she intends to compete in 14 events. To date, Jessica has joined more than 100 tournaments all over the country including international competitions in the U.S.A., Australia, Abu Dhabi, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hongkong, Egypt, Mexico, Sri Lanka and Brunei. In the most recently concluded Australian Open 2006, Jessica served as a ballkid – an all-expense paid privilege given by Tennis Australia to 2 girls and 2 boys from the Philippines.

I was lucky enough to catch Jessica, Coach Domingo Feliciano (known as Domeng), and her parents for an interview before they flew off to Brunei for another grueling tennis competition.

YS: How did you end up in the sport?

Jessica: My parents are great tennis players themselves. They’ve always encouraged me to play. But it all started one summer when I joined the summer camp of my current Coach Domeng. I enjoyed it so much that when the next summer came, I begged my parents to let me play tennis again. At first, I wasn’t allowed to play during schooldays. Then my mom gave me the incentive of being given permission to play on weekdays if I were to get an honor from school. I studied hard and showed my parents that I was really serious about wanting to play tennis.

YS: What is your training like?

Jessica: I train six times a week under Coach Domeng. I am also enrolled ay PlyoSports where I undergo a plyometrics program handled by Mr. Raul Banzon and at Fitness First for physical conditioning. I spend about 24-30 hours a week either playing tennis or in physical activity.

YS: Wow. No wonder Jessica had difficulty with a structured high school program. Do you regret your decision to let Jessica enter homeschooling?

Atty. Alberto Agra: Not really. We have a short-term developmental plan for Jessica, in pursuit of her dream to excel in the sport and to represent her flag and country. If she does not reach a goal before she reaches 4th year high school, we will re-evaluate this decision and see if she wants to go back to regular schooling. The School of Tomorrow is actually a good program, which requires zero hours in school. We are given all the materials and requirements that Jessica has to fulfill, and I make sure that she does the schoolwork.

Jean Lim-Agra: The homeschooling also relieves Jessica of a lot of the stress. Before, she would be so pressured to go back to Philippines immediately after competing in a foreign country that there was no time to explore each new place. Jessica was constantly suffering from jetlag. Right now we try to make each experience abroad an educational one – let Jessica see the sights, provided it’s all within budget. I’m from ICA myself, and it was hard when I went back to visit and Jessica was no longer a student there, but I’m confident that it’s all for the best.

YS: Any college plans?

Jean Lim-Agra: We’re hoping that we reach the stage where Jessica will have the opportunity of either going pro or playing college tennis, either here or abroad. We actually visited Stanford University and they mentioned that some of their students who played college tennis even went pro afterwards. Who knows? Maybe Jessica can do both.

YS: How do you support Jessica?

Atty. Alberto Agra: We look at this as a family project which requires a commitment from each and every one of us. We talk regularly, and assess Jessica’s progress on a regular basis.

Why tennis?

Atty. Alberto Agra: It teaches her mental toughness and confidence, among other things like improvement of athletic skills.

YS: Who is the greatest influence in your life?

Jessica: My parents. And Coach Domeng, of course. He’s been with me from the start. It’s very difficult to look for a coach. He’s very supportive, minsan lang nagagalit. Malakas nga lang ang boses.

Coach Domeng: [laughs] Inaabuso na nga ako eh!

YS: Any physical attributes that make a great tennis player?

Coach Domeng: It varies. Height is a factor. Asian women players should preferably be between 5’4" to 5’9". What shorter women lack in height, they must make up for in speed.

YS: Any favorite tennis player?

Jessica: Definitely Maria Sharapova. She’s good and pretty.

YS: Did you ever feel like quitting tennis?

Jessica: Yes, there was one point in 2004 when I wasn’t so sure if I wanted to continue playing. I trained so hard for the ATF tournament, only to lose in the first round in Thailand. I had put in so much effort and so I went home crying to my mom. Later I learned that the person I competed against eventually went on to win the tournament. Sometimes I look at other kids and feel bad because they have so many talents, and I only have tennis. But then I realized that I’d rather be great in tennis than be mediocre in many things. Coach Domeng also promised to make training more fun for me, put me in more group training so that I can meet people my age. I’m lucky because my parents are never demanding. Even if I lose, my mom tells me that it’s not about winning or losing. It’s all about attitude: giving my best and fighting it out.

YS: What is the best part about being a tennis player?

Jessica: I get to see different parts of the world when I compete. Singapore is my favorite place. I love the food there. I always go to Newton’s Place and eat Roast Duck.

YS: What is the worst part?

Jessica: The lack of a social life and saying goodbye to the people I meet in tournaments. Last month, I really got close to my partner in the tournament in Egypt. She was from Bulgaria. I try to keep in touch with friends through email, but it’s hard.

YS: Other interests besides tennis?

Jessica: I love watching TV, especially the OC and One Tree Hill. Tuesday nights, from 8-10 pm is my TV night. My parents know not to schedule any training for me during that time. I also like watching concerts. I went to see the Pusscycat Dolls when they were in Manila.

YS: How do you look for a partner in doubles tournaments?

Jessica: If you’re from abroad and are competing in a foreign country, you don’t get to pick a partner till you actually get to the place. It’s sort of a first come, first served basis. You observe the people still without partners; play a few rounds with the people that seem ok. Then you pick the one you like best. If you’re the last one to arrive, you get no choice and are assigned to whoever’s left.

YS: Any other young Filipinos in the same league as Jessica?

Atty. Alberto Agra: Bien Zoleta, aged 17, is also very good. As much as possible, I want Jessica to be homegrown, to be able to say that she is a Filipino player. She has attended 2 short training courses abroad, at the Melbourne International Tennis School and 1 Elite Camp in Bangkok conducted by the Australian Open. But basically all of her training has been done here.

YS: Who accompanies you when you go on tournaments abroad?

Jessica: My mom and Coach Domeng.

Atty. Alberto Agra: It can be quite expensive. It’s sad because nobody really gives [sponsorships] to tennis. Just literally a handful.

YS: Do you still get nervous before each tournament?

Jessica: All the time. Especially now. The more you improve and climb up the rankings, there is more to lose.