Women's History Month Highlight: Lucia Peters

Meet Lucia: A local tennis professional teaching at community parks in Brentwood and Discovery

Bay. She has introduced more than 500 students to the game on a single court and is leading efforts to develop a dedicated tennis center.

Q: What has your experience as a woman in the tennis community meant to you personally over the years?

A: Being a woman in the NorCal Tennis Community means the doors are wide open for me to make a difference in allowing and growing the sport of tennis for women of all ages and backgrounds.  It means I have the support, respect and guidance from the Norcal office to the top of the USTA organization to get out in my community and build relationships; share the joy and passion that I have for this sport, so they may have a chance to play and experience it like I have all my life.

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

A: Beyond the court, tennis is giving me a chance to take part in a great community where the motto is "Play where you live!"  I feel that I can contribute my experiences and service of teaching tennis to our community which brings people together in happy circumstances and in a healthy manner for the youth and adults. It makes me happy that I have made an exceptional amount of great lasting new friends and acquaintances as I provide a great service to my community. They have become my wonderful Tennis Family!  I get a chance to impact their lives in a fun and healthy way. I get to introduce them to new friends and a whole community of wonderful parents and players.

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

along the way?

A: My local community high school (mostly) women and men coaches have supported me by promoting my services and helping me to help them field new players from our community and help their experienced players work through their skill needs.  We are in constant contact working together to bring out the best result in each player whether needed in skills or mentally and emotional support.  My Brentwood Park and Recreation all women staff support me and my 14 levels of tennis programs every single day bringing tennis to our community all year long! The moms in my tennis community have supported me by their care, love and  openness as I teach their children to be the best athlete and person on and off the court. They provide me with drinks and food when I am hot/ cold after many hours a day teaching their children. Their emotional support as I teach "life lessons" to all the kids is also appreciated as we work as a team for all the kids on court. My tennis students inspire me everyday to become a better and more complete instructor/mentor to enrich my students lives on and off the court; this in turn enriches my life in every aspect. My long-time tennis friends have supported my teaching services by donating their old racquets, bags, balls and shoes to help kids that need them!

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

A: Growing up playing tennis and hanging out in the S.F. Park and Rec programs inspired me to give back to kids that do not have the opportunity to play in private clubs and facilities. I want them all to have a chance to acquire the best skills and experience at a public venue even if they do not have the funds others do. I treat my park and recreation program like it is an elite tennis academy. Each and every student has a plan of action of where they want to be or how to achieve it. I once was told by my student who made it to high school varsity as a freshman that I was "tough but fun!" I laughed.

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

A: More women are shaping and strengthening tennis in our NorCal community by getting involved and being hired for managerial and mentorships in the tennis programs and in the Park and Recreation staffing. More highly respected  women are volunteering to get out there and coach girls and boys high school team tennis. More women coaches are being actively recruited to instruct and coach constantly which is much needed and appreciated.

Q: What’s one moment in your tennis journey that reminded you how powerful women

supporting women can be?

A: The moment I met my NorCal Advocacy Program Manager, Cherryl Silva made me realize how powerful women supporting women can be.  She has helped me step out of my comfort zone and realize my dream of building a new and much needed tennis facility in our Brentwood Community can be a reality! She is helping me build confidence and providing me with all the tools and tactics to start this venture. She is there constantly to show me and provide me with the introduction and support of other people that can help myself and my community achieve its goal of providing tennis programs to more community members. 

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

A: It is so important for women and girls to feel welcome, seen and represented in spaces like tennis because tennis is more than a sport!  It builds character and confidence, it teaches life lessons, compassion, self respect and respect for others. It teaches us good sportsmanship and determination to reach our goals. It helps us overcome our fears and be strong in our convictions in who we are and what we stand for. It helps be leaders, mentors to others that need our help to become better players and people. Tennis helps us to be more social, more giving to ourselves and others in our community in a healthier lifestyle. 

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 the next generation of girls and women in NorCal tennis feel that they can have the confidence and the support tools to realize and achieve any goal or dream they have and want for themselves.  I hope they feel they have enough tennis women leaders around them in their communities to help support to reach their goals on and off the court and know that the door is always open to them to ask for help and advice on how to succeed and be happy playing/ teaching and or spreading the love of tennis and feel part of their tennis community.