My Tennis Journey — by Vlad Kozhenov, Age 11

Hi, my name is Vlad, I’m 11 years old, and I recently moved from Russia to Barcelona with my family.

My tennis story started during the pandemic. I was just a little kid, full of energy, stuck at home - like everyone else. But my dad had an idea. He gathered a small group of kids and helped to organize tennis sessions so we wouldn't go crazy sitting indoors all day. That's how I first picked up a racket. I didn't know then how much it would change my life.

I grew up in a small town in Russia. We had just several clay courts in the summer, but most of the year we trained indoors - in a regular hall with a wooden floor. It wasn’t perfect, but it was home. That court gave me my first forehands, my first footwork drills, my first dreams.

Even with limited conditions, I played in tournaments across Russia and had some good results. I was lucky to train in the tennis academy camps in Moscow, and that gave me a big boost — both in motivation and in skill.

But tennis hasn’t been the only part of my life. I also studied hard at school — I love math and science — and I went to music school, where I studied classical piano. I finished 4.5 years there and became a winner of regional and national music competitions. Performing on stage is a different kind of pressure — but somehow, it felt a little like playing a final set in a close match.

Now I’m here in Barcelona, and it feels like a new world. There are real courts, sunshine, and amazing coaches. Everything is new, and it’s not easy — new language, new people, new culture. But I’m excited. Every day I train, I feel stronger. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I’m ready to work hard and grow.

My dream? To become a professional tennis player, to play on the biggest courts in the world — and maybe one day inspire other kids who are also training on wooden floors, believing in something bigger.

Thank you for reading my story.

— Vlad