Noor Sayej’s tennis journey began at the young age of three, when she first picked up a racket alongside her father. Although her father primarily excelled in soccer during his college days, his proficiency in tennis paved the way for Sayej’s introduction to the sport. While initially, tennis was just a fun activity with her dad, it wasn’t until she was around eight or nine that she truly started to care about improving her skills and pursuing the sport seriously.

At the age of nine, Sayej began formal lessons and participated in clinics to sharpen her abilities. Today, her commitment to tennis is unwavering, with a rigorous training schedule that spans nearly every day of the week, totaling around three and a half hours per session, including fitness training. Balancing school with her intensive tennis regime, Sayej has honed her time management skills to perfection, often completing homework between practices and using free periods at school.

When asked about what she loves most about tennis, Sayej enthusiastically expressed her passion for the competitive aspect of the game. “I like the competition,” she said. “I like planning out the points – figuring where you are going to service and how you’re going to hit the next ball to set up the point. It’s fun figuring it out because you have so many tools.” Her favorite players—Jessica Pegula, currently the top American in women’s tennis, and Aryna Sabalenka, ranked second in the world—serve as inspirations for Sayej’s own aggressive playstyle. Inside the mild-mannered Sayej hides a fighter. “I don’t like being on offense,” she said. “I like being in charge of the point from the beginning.”

Interestingly, Sayej revealed a preference for her backhand over her forehand, which is unusual for many players. She finds it more accurate and versatile. Her talent and hard work have taken her across the globe. This past summer, she trained with the Italian Tennis Federation and competed in the U.S. nationals, reaching the second round and winning in the back draw. Her accomplishments don’t stop there—she also triumphed at the Grass Court Championships in Newport, Rhode Island, winning the team event.

Sayej’s love for tennis transcends different surfaces. Whether it’s grass, clay, or hard courts, she enjoys adapting her game to each, which she finds exciting because each surface requires a unique strategy. On grass, for example, slices are essential due to the low bounce of the ball, while on clay, slower play necessitates different spins. “I train on hard court, so I’m better at hard court,” she said. “But it’s fun playing on all surfaces. I love the strategy behind it all.”

Sayej handles the pressure by staying focused and shrugging off the demand to do well. As a pregame ritual, she will call her coach and write her strategy or goals for the match in her notebook. Her favorite postgame snacks are Starbucks, ice cream, or Chipotle. During her game, she will sustain her intensity by snacking, especially when one of her longest matches took over three and one-half hours. To dig deep, she thinks about winning the match and imagining how the win will feel after the game.

Looking forward, Sayej has her eyes set on playing college tennis, a natural next step given her impressive track record. She already excels in singles and doubles, often partnering with a close friend she’s played with since she was 12.

When asked about the possibility of going pro, Sayej acknowledges the difficulty and the commitment required but leaves the door open for the future, especially if her college career goes exceptionally well. For now, she’s focused on continuing her development, both academically and athletically, and making the most of her love for the game.

Sayej’s journey is a testament to her dedication and passion for tennis. Whether she’s training at her local facility in Simsbury or competing internationally, her drive to excel remains steadfast. While she may not be chasing professional dreams yet, the tennis world should keep an eye on Sayej because, with her talent and determination, anything is possible.