Carol Lee savors milestone first WTA 125 title in Warsaw

Carol Young Suh Lee described winning the first WTA 125 title of her career as a special moment after years of challenges, with the Saipan-born tennis standout saying the breakthrough made the work she has put into her professional career even more meaningful.

 “It is a special feeling to win my first WTA title this year. There have been so many ups and downs, adversities, and lessons along the way, so to finally have a moment like this makes all of that work feel even more meaningful,” Lee told Marianas Press via social media.

 The 24-year-old Lee captured the biggest title of her career last Saturday, Aug. 8, after defeating the Czech Republic’s Gabriela Knutson, 6-4, 7-5, in the final of the T-Mobile Polish Open in Warsaw, Poland.

 Lee, ranked No. 162 in the world, completed a memorable run on the clay courts that began with a 6-4, 6-4 upset of top seed Elsa Jacquemot of France.

 The Saipan Community School alumna said she tried not to treat the championship match differently despite what was at stake.

 “My mindset was to approach the final the same way I’ve approached every match this week — stay focused, fight for every point, and just enjoy the match,” she said.

 Her title run included a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Czech Vendula Valdmannova and a come-from-behind 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1 win against Polish wild card Weronika Falkowska. Lee then rallied from a set down to defeat Belarusian Aliona Falei, 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.

 Knutson, ranked No. 217, had also put together an impressive run, including a 6-3, 6-4 victory over second seed Ella Seidel of Germany before reaching the final.

 For Lee, however, the Warsaw championship carried significance beyond the trophy.

 The former Georgia Tech standout remains the only ranked WTA player from the Northern Mariana Islands. In 2019, she became the first player from the NMI to compete in a junior Grand Slam when she played at the Australian Open. She also won five ITF singles titles in 2025 before making her breakthrough at the WTA 125 level in Warsaw.

 Lee credited her family and supporters back home, recalling where her tennis journey began.

 “Saipan is where everything started for me, practicing at the AMP tennis courts with my dad, and no matter where in the world I’m competing, I always carry my home with me,” she said. “Growing up on a small island and now being able to represent the Northern Mariana Islands on an international stage is something I’m really proud of.”

 She also thanked sponsor Brabu Behavioral Health Services for providing financial support that has allowed her to continue pursuing her professional career and competing internationally.

 “I’m also really proud of how I competed throughout the entire week,” Lee said. “More than anything, I feel extremely grateful.”

 There will be little time to celebrate.

 Lee said she next heads to qualifying for the Cincinnati Open, a WTA 1000 tournament, after receiving a wild card into the qualifying draw. She will then train for a week in Orlando, Florida, with her coach before heading to the U.S. Open.