Namibian tennis player Lisa Yssel has had a remarkable year on the international stage in 2023. She had the honour of representing Namibia at the Billie Jean King Cup in Kenya, before being selected to compete for her country’s senior national team at the Kikuxi Villas Open in Angola. Yssel has been passionate about sports from a young age, participating in a variety of sports including tennis, netball, athletics, and swimming.
Despite the challenges of juggling sports, social life, and studies, Yssel has managed to excel in all areas through meticulous planning, disciplined execution, and self-discipline. Currently in her second year of studying logistics and supply chain management whilst pursuing her tennis career.
Yssel attributes much of her development and progress to the support provided by Maties, which has provided her with the platform and facilities to pursue her tennis career whilst building her profession. Her training has been described as highly specialized and intense, tailored specifically to her game and physique, leading to significant improvements in her performance.
Her experience at the Billie Jean King Cup was a motivating one, allowing her to test her limits, gain exposure, and secure victories. Looking ahead, Yssel is now preparing for the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany.
Working with her coach, Dr. Brendan Thomas, has imparted valuable life lessons to Yssel, as she has learned to adapt and work around different opponents, environments, and surfaces. She plans to apply these skills not only to her tennis career but also to life in general.
With her sights set on future competitions, Yssel aims to prepare for the summer USSA’s with her team and represent Namibia again at the Region 5 Youth Games at the end of the year. She also hopes to secure a place in the team for the World University Games, achieve a world WTA ranking in the top 500, and continue representing Maties and the Namibian Women’s team in future competitions.
It is evident that Yssel is resolute in making the most of her talent and representing her country and university with pride and distinction in the world of tennis.