Indonesian Tennis Star Janice Tjen Rises to Top 40 in 2 Years

Janice Tjen almost walked away from tennis before her professional career even started, but today she's rewriting Indonesian sports history.

The 23-year-old from Indonesia rocketed from college tennis graduate to world No. 36 in just two years. She won the Chennai Open in 2025, ending a 23-year drought for Indonesian WTA singles champions and becoming the first Indonesian woman in the top 50 this century.

Before turning pro, Tjen seriously considered quitting. The constant travel wore her down, and the thought of spending most of her life away from home felt overwhelming. "I don't like travelling as much," she admitted in a recent interview. "Considering that I wouldn't be able to enjoy that and being away from home for that long, I decided to quit."

But her support system refused to let her give up. Friends, family, and coaches kept encouraging her to give professional tennis a shot. She took a leap of faith and trusted them.

The transition from college tennis wasn't easy. Playing for UCLA, Tjen had teammates cheering her on and a sense of belonging. Going pro meant facing matches alone. "Suddenly you are playing professionally and you have no one," she explained. "It's pretty lonely compared to college."

Her breakthrough came at the 2025 US Open, where she qualified and won her first round match. That victory unlocked something inside her. The confidence boost carried her through an incredible season with 77 wins, eight titles, and a stunning 27-match winning streak.

Tjen played over 90 matches in 2025, a grueling schedule that would break many athletes. She credits her coach Chris Bint for keeping her physically healthy and mentally positive. His optimism became her fuel during the toughest stretches.

Why This Inspires

Tjen's success reaches far beyond personal achievement. She's putting Indonesia back on the global tennis map and inspiring a new generation of athletes in Southeast Asia. Young Indonesians now have proof that world-class tennis success is possible, even if the path isn't straightforward.

She doesn't feel pressure from being the first Indonesian WTA champion in over two decades. Instead, it motivates her. "As long as I keep working hard and giving my best, I always have Indonesia behind me," she said. That support propels her forward.

Her story reminds us that our biggest breakthroughs often come after our closest calls with giving up. The career she almost quit has become her platform for making history and inspiring millions back home.

Tjen continues climbing the rankings with the same team and mindset that got her here: trust the process, lean on good people, and keep showing up.