Xi (Vicki) Qin, a Class of 2029 student from Beijing, is a national-level first-class tennis player and a proud member of the DKU Tennis Team. Her journey with tennis began quite naturally, since her father is a tennis coach. After briefly trying other sports as a child, she eventually began training with him and has now been playing for over 12 years. She has played tennis all around the world — training in Serbia, competing in international tournaments in Japan and the United States, and now playing for the DKU varsity tennis team.
“The most important lesson tennis has taught me is the determination to win. Not just matches, but in any challenge I face.”
Xi (Vicki) Qin, class of 2029
Q:Tennis is often called “physical chess.” What aspects of constructing a point or anticipating your opponent’s moves do you find most intellectually challenging and exciting?
I believe that behind every sport lies a battle of tactics and mindset. For me, the key is confidence and focus. I learned this idea from the book The Inner Game of Tennis, which talks about trusting your “Self 2”, the instinctive part of you, rather than overthinking as “Self 1.” After years of repetitive training, your body already knows how to react, analyze your opponent’s weaknesses, and choose the right shot. The challenge is simply to trust yourself and stay calm in the moment.
When I first read that book in elementary school, I tried to follow its advice of thinking less and just focusing on the ball, which ultimately helped me play one of the best matches of my life. Even now, I revisit that book often and find new lessons that go beyond tennis.
Xi served during a game
Q:Although tennis is largely an individual sport on court, what defines the personality and bond of your university team off the court?
While most tennis competitions are individual, DKU tennis matches are team-based, where one player’s result can decide the whole team’s outcome. At first, this added huge pressure; every point suddenly felt heavier. But it also brought something new: connection. When a teammate wins a singles or doubles match, we cheer, shout, and celebrate together as a team. That shared energy is something I had never experienced before. What makes our team special is not just the will to win, but the joy of improving together — learning, playing, reflecting, and growing as one.
Xi cheered with her teammate
Q:Could you describe a time when academic deadlines and a crucial competition overlapped? How did you navigate that period of pressure?
During high school, I decided to focus more on academics, but I never completely gave up tennis. I kept training once a week, competed during summer vacations, earned my athlete certification, and even took part in high-level player exams in my senior year.
Balancing both was tough — it meant sacrificing rest and weekends — but tennis never felt like a burden. It became my way to recharge. When studying got exhausting, I’d go hit a few balls; when training was intense, I’d return to my books refreshed. Now in college, tennis is not just a sport to me, but a social and emotional balance to academic life.
Q: As a more experienced player, how do you support teammates who may be struggling with confidence or form?
During practice, I often step into a “mini-coach” role, offering targeted tips and encouragement based on my experience competing at a high level. My teammates even jokingly call me “Coach Vicki.”
During the recent DKU Invitational, I temporarily acted as an on-court coach when our main coach was busy on another court. I discussed strategies with teammates, made small tactical adjustments during changeovers, and communicated through eye contact from the sidelines. When those changes started to pay off, I felt an incredible sense of pride. Not because of personal success, but because my knowledge could genuinely help our team, even though we didn’t win that match, the process reminded me how rewarding it is to contribute as both a player and a mentor.
Q:What is the most profound lesson tennis has taught you about yourself — perhaps revealing a strength or vulnerability you didn’t fully recognize before?
The most important lesson tennis has taught me is the determination to win. Not just matches, but in any challenge I face. When you truly want to win, you give everything: you focus, you cooperate, you stay calm, and you never give up.
This mindset extends well beyond the court. It’s about the drive to do things well and the belief that “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Of course, I’m still learning and improving, but I know I’m never alone in this journey. With my teammates, coaches, and friends, I’ve learned that persistence is easier when shared. “We are DKU — and we never give up.”
Xi at the ABH Tennis123 Junior Finals
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