For Shellharbour's Ellen Perez, the dream of professional tennis meant trading a normal teenage life for airports, hotel rooms, and a suitcase existence that has defined her last 14 years. The now 30-year-old, who recently exited the WTA Adelaide tournament in the semifinals, has forged a remarkable career marked by significant success and profound personal sacrifice.
The High Price of a Global Circuit
Ellen Perez was just 16 years old when she left her family home in Shellharbour, initially for Melbourne and later for the United States to play college tennis at the University of Georgia. This move set her on a path that has seen her become a top-10 ranked doubles player globally, amassing $2,764,735 in career prize money and claiming eight WTA doubles titles.
However, the lifestyle comes at a steep cost. Perez spends roughly eight to nine months of the year overseas, with only brief annual visits home. "Being an Australian and being so far from home, it's not easy to get back," Perez confessed in an interview. "There is that element of missing home at times." This relentless travel has made maintaining long-term relationships exceptionally difficult, a reality she knows all too well after a recent three-and-a-half-year relationship ended, partly due to the demands of her career.
Doubles Dedication and Grand Slam Ambitions
Perez made a strategic decision early to focus on doubles, where her talents shone brightest. This choice has paid dividends, peaking with a world doubles ranking of number seven in April 2024. Her most successful partnership has been with American Nicole Melichar-Martinez, a duo that reached the final of the prestigious 2023 WTA Finals in Cancun.
Despite her global success, one goal remains tantalisingly out of reach: a deep run at her home Grand Slam. "I actually haven't done too well at the Australian Open, to be fair," Perez admitted. Her best result in Melbourne is the second round, a hurdle she is determined to clear. "To be able to do that in my backyard would be the ideal goal," she said, highlighting a major ambition to win a Grand Slam title.
Looking Ahead with Australian Tennis
As she looks to the future, Perez's objectives are clear: break into the world's top five, qualify for the WTA Finals again, and finally capture that elusive major championship. She is also buoyed by the state of Australian women's tennis, particularly the leadership of new Fed Cup captain and former playing partner, Sam Stosur.
Reflecting on her journey from the Illawarra to the world stage, Perez embodies the resilience required at the sport's highest level. Her story is not just one of forehands and backhands, but of the immense personal commitment behind every match point, a testament to the true cost of chasing a sporting dream from Shellharbour to the world.
