Women's History Month Highlight: Jill Van Slyke

Meet Jill: Jill has loved tennis since she was a child, and the sport continues to be a meaningful part of her life today. She is especially grateful that her husband and both of her sons share that love of the game. For Jill, tennis is about much more than competition. It is a source of fitness, friendship, support, and joy — and, of course, a great excuse for cute outfits.

Q: What has tennis given you beyond the court - whether that’s confidence, friendship, community, or purpose?

A: Tennis has given me all of these things. My closest friends play tennis, and I always make time to play with them. Improving my tennis game has helped me build confidence by teaching me that I can overcome difficulties and constantly improve.  I also learned that it is okay to fail as long as you learn and keep trying.  

Q: Who are the women in the tennis community who have inspired or supported you along the way?

A: I was lucky to grow up in Palos Verdes, where Tracy Austin consitently. gave back to our tennis community.  When I was in high school, I got to the finals of the doubles tournament that she hosted every year at a local park, and I have a picture with her. The fact that she still gave back and was so kind in person even after being injured badly enough that her pro career ended is very inspiring to me. I am also inspired by my teammates who inspire me to play better and are kind to me when I need their support.

Q: What inspired you to give back through volunteering, leadership, or service in tennis?

A: I captain a lot of adult teams because I feel like if I don’t, then it isn’t just me who doesn’t have a team to play for, there are 15-20 other players who may not have a team. I also volunteer as a coach for the Amador Valley High School boys and girls teams. I hope that by coaching, they will love tennis as much as I do and keep playing for their whole lives. Q: What does being a woman in the NorCal tennis community mean to you?

A: To me it means that I have the ability to play the sport I have loved since I was a child. I started playing at six years old with my mom and stepdad.  We would play for hours on the weekend at the local high school courts for free.  Tennis has been important to me my whole life. 

Q: How have you seen women help shape and strengthen the tennis community here in Northern California?

A: I have seen women create practice groups that cross beyond the teams that they play for, which builds community for all of us. I have seen women help plan charity tennis events which allow us to play tennis and give to others at the same time. I have seen women create new tournaments and competitions, so that we can play tennis in fun new ways.

Q: As someone that has captained many teams and played in over 1,000 matches, what’s one moment in your tennis journey that reminded you how powerful women supporting women can be?

A: When I played my 1000th NorCal match, my friends organized a celebration. They came out to cheer for me, brought balloons and flowers, and food and drinks for after. It meant a lot to me to have my friends there to support me.

Q: Why is it so important for women and girls to feel welcomed, seen, and represented in spaces like tennis?

A: I think it is important for women and girls to be welcomed, seen, and represented in spaces like tennis because it can foster confidence in their ability to compete at anything -- to know they can find support from others with similar interests and values.

Q: What do you hope the next generation of girls and women in the NorCal tennis community feels when they step onto the court or into this community?

A: I hope that they feel joy from being able to play. They can work on their fitness, find friends if they recently moved here, feel accomplished from improving their skills, feel the joy of victory, or even enjoy being on a fun team with matching outfits. Whether you are competitive or playing for fun, you can find like-minded players.