Carol Lee to play in qualifiers of French Open

Just after midnight Saipan time, Tuesday, May 19, Saipan’s Carol Lee is hitting the clay courts in the qualifying round of the Roland-Garros (French Open)—one of tennis’ four Grand Slam tournaments, held on the clay courts of Paris, France.

For Lee, playing in the Roland-Garros qualifiers means a lot. Growing up in the CNMI, she said chances to reach this level of tennis are limited, making every Grand Slam opportunity feel bigger than just herself. “I feel proud to represent the CNMI and show that athletes from small communities can still dream big and compete internationally.”

Lee said clay-court tennis has taken some adjustment compared to hard courts, especially with movement, patience, and longer rallies.

“My preparation has focused on sliding more comfortably, building up the points more carefully, and becoming comfortable hitting various shots,” she said. “I’ve also been spending more time training and competing in Europe, which has helped me adjust to different clay conditions and gain more confidence on the surface.”

Earlier this year, Lee also played in the qualifying rounds of the Australian Open, which she said helped build her confidence going into Roland-Garros. “The Australian Open qualifying experience gave me a lot of confidence because it showed me that I belong at this level,” Lee said. “Going into Roland Garros qualifying, I feel more prepared and more experienced. I’ve learned how important it is to trust my game and embrace pressure.”

When asked what the biggest improvements in her game is this season, she said it’s been her movement, consistency, and mental toughness, especially during difficult moments in matches.

With the islands still going through recovery after Super Typhoon Sinlaku, Lee said representing the CNMI on this stage is very important to her. “I know many people back home are still recovering and facing challenges after the typhoon. The CNMI community has always been resilient, and I want to represent that strength whenever I compete internationally. Sports can bring people hope and pride during difficult times, and if my journey can give even a small amount of encouragement to people back home, that means a lot to me.”

Her message to the CNMI community: “⁠My message is to stay strong and continue supporting one another. Our community has always shown resilience through difficult times, and I truly believe we will recover together. Even while I’m not there physically, my heart is at home, connecting with the community. I hope people back home know that we are capable of overcoming hardships and coming back even stronger.”