High school gym class! We had a mandatory tennis unit, and I was the only one who actually enjoyed the frustration of trying to hit a clean forehand. The coach saw I had some raw enthusiasm and pulled me aside to suggest I try out for the team. I started as the worst player, but that just fueled me to get better. It taught me that passion beats talent at the start.

For me, it's all about family. My dad was my first coach. Every single Sunday, without fail, he'd wake me up and take me to the cracked public courts in our neighborhood. I was 8, and the sound of the ball hitting the strings just hooked me. It was our thing. Those mornings are my fondest memories.