Lenien Jamir first came to limelight through her exceptional tennis skills.
Lenien, who began playing at an age as early as six, underwent training under the All Assam Tennis Association from where her career took off, winning over 20 All India Tennis Association (AITA) domestic singles and numerous championships in other Asian as well as African nations.
In 2020, she bagged a prestigious athletic scholarship at Monmouth University in the United States of America making her the first-ever tennis player from Nagaland to join the US collegiate tennis circuit. She has got admitted as an under-grad student majoring in International Relations in the university’s Honors College.
She hails from Mopungchuket village and is the daughter of Amba Jamir. Today, Mokokchung Times takes you in
for a closer look at the young lady herself to find out more about her life.
MTNews: Greetings from Nagaland, Lenien. How has life in the States been treating you?
Lenien– It’s been a roller coaster ride! I really enjoy it here, though. Everybody has been extremely welcoming and helpful so the transition wasn’t hard.
MTNews: There’s a lot to unpack when it comes to your achievements and talent but you created history by becoming the first ever tennis player from the state to earn an athletic scholarship at the Monmouth University in New Jersey. Is that overwhelming for you? How do you take such success?
Lenien– I don’t think it’s overwhelming at all because I don’t see this as a huge thing that I’ve done. I was exposed to a lot of travelling since I was young and I grew up wanting to play college tennis. This was always a goal and I worked hard to achieve it. While it is a dream come true and I’m so appreciative and grateful to have this opportunity, I honestly am already looking ahead and working to achieve my next goal!
MTNews: You began playing tennis when you were barely six years old and apart from that you took up swimming and Taekwondo before settling with Tennis. How would you recall those experiences? Do you think your childhood has been different from many other kids?
Lenien– I think it’s been very different but I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s shaped the person I have become and given me opportunities to meet people from different cultures, travel all over the world and be super independent. And as for swimming and taekwondo, I did continue to swim throughout my teenage years but it was more for recovery after tennis. Taekwondo seems like a fever dream! I don’t remember a life before tennis.
MTNews: You have won over 20 All India Tennis Association (AITA) domestic singles titles apart from numerous championships in other Asian as well as African nations. What has been the most challenging task for you in making sure that you keep your records straight?
Lenien– I had a lot with injuries that were tough to navigate through but the one aspect I personally struggled with the most was mental. I was -still am- very self conscious and that took a hit on my confidence. I’m also very result oriented and extremely tough on myself so there was a point that I just didn’t see the point in even continuing to play and just wanted to quit. So getting out of that rut was really tough.
MTNews: You have been able to balance both tennis and studies throughout your life. What is the trick?
Lenien– Be a 100% committed! I started very early and it was engrained in my brain so even now, I thrive when I’m busy and super productive. But it’s also important to have a healthy social life. Tennis and studies would not have been flourishing if I wasn’t having fun and still making time to go out with friends and do normal teenage stuff. I think that’s something we fail to prioritise and as I’m getting older, I’m really realizing the impact your emotional state has on your performance – both on the court and off the court.
MTNews: Is there a specific diet routine or a daily routine you maintain to keep yourself fit and healthy?
Lenien– My mother was always really good with nutrition so growing up, I had a really balanced diet but nothing too fancy! I grew up on Naga-style boiled chicken, rice and veggies and chutney! It’s still my comfort food. But eating healthy in America is a lot harder especially for college kids. They have a LOT of different kinds of food that tastes very good but is not the healthiest so that’s something I’m still trying to work on! Other than that, we have team practices and lift sessions so I get my physical workouts in that way.
MTNews: How would you advise those youngsters that might have an interest in pursuing the kind of a career you have?
Lenien– Do it!! I think NE has so much potential for sports and we have some very special athletic talents. While I do understand that opportunities are lacking and funding is tough to go pro, you can always use it for scholarships and get your education! Most importantly though, research! I’m a huge facts and research girl so trust me when I say I spent hours every day looking for colleges and doing research on their scholarships, academics, location, teams, and student life. The more you read, the more you know and are better prepared.
MTNews: You have achieved a lot at such a young age, but what are your future goals?
Lenien – Well my short term goal is to do well in our season that starts in less than 2 weeks! But after that, I am excited to start a research project that I got accepted for in Monmouth University’s Summer Scholars program. Long term, I am looking to go to a prestigious grad school either in the US or in the UK. This will probably be my last 2 years of competitive tennis. Tennis has taken a lot from me, it’s also given me a lot but I think it’s time to say goodbye and pursue my other interests academically.
MTNews: Do you have a moment in your career which you find it unbelievable even to this day?
Lenien– I think the most recent thing that blew my mind was former world number 1 singles and doubles player Kim Clijsters coming to our practice session and playing with my teammates and I. I grew up watching her on TV and I never imagined even meeting her let alone playing against her! We were all very excited and had a great time. She’s such an inspiration and it was a surreal experience.
MTNews: A message to our readers
Lenien– I’ll end with something I tell almost anybody who’ll listen – play a sport! Parents, force your kids to find a sport they enjoy and push them to try it. It could be anything! It is incredible how much you learn, and what an impact it can have. I would not be on a full ride in the US if it wasn’t for my parents pushing me to go to 6am practice as a 7 year old. There’s so much it has to offer no matter what the end goal is -to go pro, for college, for high school or even just for fun. Almost every athlete I know is so grateful to have had the opportunity to play their sport even if they hated it at several points of their life. Like they say, it truly is a love/hate relationship.
