Yurika Sema

Hello everyone, I'm Yurika Sema. I started tennis in my first year of primary school, introduced by a relative. I fell in love with it, finished third at the national championships in sixth grade, and that's when I started wanting to turn pro.

After winning the national junior high school singles title, I went to study at IMG Academy in the US, gained experience there, and turned pro after finishing high school.

As a pro I played the main draw of the US Open, represented Japan in the Fed Cup (now the Billie Jean King Cup), and was runner-up in singles at the All Japan Championships, travelling the world mainly as a singles player.

Since this spring I've been coaching at Sakurada Club, teaching juniors and adults. I also take part in tennis clinics and other tennis work.

My entry was confirmed at the end of August, and I've been training properly since then. Mari Tadaki and friends I used to play with on the tour have been supporting me, and though it's not every day, we've been able to practise together and I'm slowly finding my form.

I don't know yet whether I'll play singles or doubles, but in doubles I want to poach, so I hope people watch my movement at the net. I'm also left-handed, which you don't get to see so often.

This is honestly my first competition in ten years. I've had time to really face my own tennis again, and I'm finding it a lot of fun.

I'd like everyone to experience that joy of taking on a challenge too — and to tell people who play for fun that entering a tournament is one more way to enjoy tennis.

I've played tennis since I was small, and even after leaving the tour it's still a close part of my life. It's so much fun.

I hope this event gets fans watching all kinds of tennis matches in Japan. Juniors, pros, recreational players and veterans — let's lift Japanese tennis together!!