Written by: Kayla

Edited by: Noah

Visual by: Aniya

In 1987, ISM girls’ tennis brought home IASAS gold for the first time. Since then, they have won a total of 14 gold medals, including this year’s IASAS championship at the International School of Bangkok. This commendable achievement has earned the team members a strong reputation amongst their peers at ISM and in other IASAS schools. Considering their achievements and admiration, we wonder what behind-the-scenes efforts are the key drivers of this team’s success?

A strong lineup

At the start of the season, the varsity team consists of 16 players, who are then slimmed down to 8 for IASAS. As a team, these athletes not only train together but also participate in a local inter-school tournament, known as “ISTA”. Coaches rely on the results of this tournament to observe how each player competes under pressure and to track their improvement, as it emulates conditions similar to those of IASAS.

Each year, there is a similar pattern in the IASAS selection for girls’ tennis. Most of the players who get in typically have years of experience in the sport and focus solely on tennis despite the seasonal system. They train regularly outside of school and participate in many local tournaments, demonstrating their commitment to the sport. 

IASAS team tennis is determined by the total points won in individual matches. Tennis, for most, is an individual sport, but at IASAS is a team sport. Most of these athletes, especially singles players, train on their own time to master the skills required in this sport. Behind the scenes, training may seem dull from a viewer’s perspective – repetitive, boring, and lonely. But these are the costs that players take to succeed for their teams. 

Competitive results and field context

Compared to the rest of the IASAS teams, ISM was competitive from the outset of the tournament. In the preliminary rounds against Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) and Taiwan American School (TAS), ISM secured wins of 5-0 and 3-2, respectively. Under the tournament’s scoring format, a school must win 3 of the 5 matches against another school, 2 of which are doubles and the other 3 are singles.

After the match against TAS, ISM faced only two more close games (3-2), both times against ISB, who proved tough competitors. The rest of the matches in between were not closely contested as ISM fought with a fierce determination and confidence in themselves and their teammates. 

Legacy and confidence

ISM girls’ tennis has fostered a winning culture that has been built over time.  Winning IASAS gold in 2025 was a big contributor to the team’s success this year, fueling them with the confidence to take home the gold again. Coach Jennifer said, “But as the coach, it was more on preparing them for the goal they want to achieve as a team.” Considering last year’s victory, the coach understood their capabilities and was confident in them, ready to push them a step further. At the end, the girls’ hard work and the focus they demonstrated throughout the season unraveled because of the driving confidence they carried from last year.  

Team culture and cohesion

When asked about the close-knit bond of the girls’ tennis team, team captain Caitlin says, “maintaining a familial type of bond with the team through high-pressure matches eases the tension one feels when they are alone on court. I think this positive culture provides priceless support to anyone playing a match, and it shifts the focus from being too self-dominant, like ‘I can’t lose this game’, to a healthier mindset like ‘I need to try my best for my team’. So in the end, you gain a second source of strength, where you’re able to rely on others to push through a game.” 

Her response emphasizes that fostering friendships within a team helps build a positive, supportive environment. The closeness of this team is credited to all the team bonding they shared throughout the season. Although left unmentioned in the interview with Caitlin, the team captain, we have encountered various posts (from the tennis teams’ Instagram account) of team hangouts, including a sleepover and a Christmas party. 

These bonding times not only connect new members, such as freshmen, to the team but ultimately bring everybody closer together. 

Performing away from home

Despite all the confidence ISM brought to Bangkok this year, there was still uncertainty about playing on a different school’s home turf. Winning at home is completely different, argues Coach Jennifer, because of the added support. The people from our school who watch are rooting for the ISM teams. Furthermore, our athletes have an advantage in knowing how to play their home court, as they practice on it throughout the season. 

However, the ISM team pushed through this limiting factor and emerged undefeated. “Being able to defend the championship is a group effort”, Coach Jennifer stated. One of the players recounts, “I remember during finals, we had so much support. Especially when the last match against ISB was tight, I could hear so many people from our parents, as well as our basketball and boys’ tennis teams, cheering for us.” 

A winning culture does not appear overnight. It is wired to consistency and team cohesion. While tennis is played in individual matches, ISM has always been a team shaped by collective spirit. Talent and hard work matter, but they are not enough on their own. What carries a team through pressure is camaraderie, the comfort that your teammates are always cheering you on. 

Looking ahead, the confidence this team will bring to the next IASAS will not come solely from past results. It will come from the bonds they have strengthened over the years, the challenges they have faced, and the belief they have built in this team and in each other. 

The legacy of the ISM girls’ tennis is not only sustained but still unfolding.