The myth of the tennis Cinderella story and the U.S. Open players writing their own chapters

In the realm of professional tennis, narratives of underdog success have captivated audiences for decades. The term “Cinderella story” invokes images of sudden triumph against the odds, conjuring a sense of magic that seems to envelop athletes who defy expectations. However, the recent performances of players such as Loïs Boisson, Victoria Mboko, and Janice Tjen at the U.S. Open expose a more complex reality beneath this archetype.

### The Myth of the Cinderella Story

Take, for example, the recent strides made by Boisson and Mboko. Boisson, a wild card from France, made waves in her home Grand Slam, overcoming a serious knee injury just a year prior. Likewise, Canadian Mboko impressively surged from the 300s in rankings to within the top 30, defeating several Grand Slam champions in her home WTA 1000 debut. Their trajectories seem to echo the classic narrative of athletes rising to fame unpredictably.

However, this is where the Cinderella metaphor falters. The journey to stardom in tennis is rarely one of immediate ascent. It involves years of rigorous training, countless matches on the lower-tier ITF World Tennis Tour, and lessons learned outside the limelight. For Boisson, her success at the French Open came on the heels of a solid run in ITF competitions, where she previously held an impressive record of 14 wins and 4 losses in 2025. Mboko’s rapid rise similarly lacked the element of surprise; she sported a remarkable 25 wins to just 1 loss before her foray into Montreal, showcasing her readiness long before stepping onto bigger stages.

### The Reality of Lower-Tier Success

The ITF World Tennis Tour often serves as both a proving ground and a testing phase for aspiring players. Competing at this level may not attract headlines, but it builds the foundational skills necessary for success in higher-stakes tournaments. For many players, these circuits represent a chance to hone their craft and develop a winning mentality. Janice Tjen, a 23-year-old from Indonesia, exemplifies this perfectly. Prior to making her mark at the U.S. Open, she dominated the ITF circuit, securing an impressive 100 victories out of 113 matches. This experience propelled her confidence, allowing her to defeat the No. 24 seed, Veronika Kudermetova, in her first Grand Slam main draw match.

“My coach and I always try to approach every match—whether in an ITF event or a Grand Slam final—as just another match,” Tjen noted. This mindset plays a crucial role in allowing players to handle pressure as they transition to the bigger stage.

### The Power of Experience and Confidence

Throughout their journeys, Tjen, Boisson, and Mboko have all echoed a common sentiment: the importance of experience accumulated in lower-tier competitions. This frame of reference enables them to view high-stakes matches with a sense of familiarity, reducing anxiety and enhancing performance. Tjen recalled how closing out matches at the ITF level taught her invaluable lessons that translated effectively on the WTA Tour.

Former tennis professionals like Brad Gilbert and Jim Courier emphasize that winning—irrespective of the tournament level—instills a sense of confidence. “Winning is winning, no matter the level,” Gilbert remarked. The belief that follows a string of victories can transform a player’s self-perception, bridging the gap between lower-tier accomplishments and upper-tier expectations.

### Evolving Through Challenges

Transitioning from the ITF circuit to WTA events requires a multifaceted evolution. Coaches play a critical role in this process, often implementing changes in training, nutrition, and mental preparation to help athletes adapt to higher competitive levels. For Tjen, who transitioned from college tennis at Pepperdine University to the professional scene, a focus on nutrition and sleep has become paramount as she evolves as a player. Collaborating closely with her team, which includes her coach and a fitness trainer, she is continually refining her skills to meet the demands of professional play.

### The Collective Voice of Aspiring Athletes

While Tjen enjoys individual success, she also carries the weight of representing Indonesian tennis on the global stage, a perspective shared by fellow players from other nations. With limited visibility for tennis in Indonesia, she is acutely aware of the significance of her performance. “I was inspired by Emma Raducanu’s Cinderella story,” Tjen reflected, highlighting how narratives of triumph over adversity resonate with players who dare to dream big.

Raducanu’s own ascent to fame defies conventional storytelling. Her unexpected victory at the U.S. Open two years ago occurred after a pandemic-affected 2020 where she played only six matches. Yet, she, too, built her success on experiences accumulated through rigorous competition before hitting the big leagues.

### A New Paradigm for Success

As the U.S. Open continues and the spotlight remains on established stars, it is crucial to recognize the diverse paths players take to reach these powerful moments. The narratives surrounding Boisson, Mboko, and Tjen merit attention not simply for their potential as underdogs but as beneficiaries of hard work, determination, and a wealth of competitive experience.

In conclusion, the myth of the Cinderella story, while enchanting, often overlooks the years of sacrifice, training, and learning that underpin any athlete’s success. As the pages of the U.S. Open continue to be written, it’s essential to shift the focus from magical narratives to the authentic stories of perseverance and evolution that define these rising stars in the world of professional tennis. With each match, these players are not just aiming for a fairytale ending; they are writing their own chapters in the intricately woven tapestry of the sport.

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