I meet ASIA JABŁOŃSKA at a Warsaw tournament, and then we bump into each other every now and then at various tennis events in Poland (which Asia usually finishes on the podium😊) . By the way, I learn that not only does tennis ‘flow in her veins’, but that she combines the sport with many trips around the world as part of her company ACTIVEZONE.

I was introduced to tennis late in life and, although it’s hard to believe now, it wasn’t love at first sight😊. At first I played sporadically, then I lived near a tennis club where friends played and then I decided to take tennis lessons with an instructor. I played in a tennis school and had individual lessons once a week. It was then that I first competed in the Matchpoint club championship tennis tournament in Komorów😊. I reached the quarter-finals and felt that this sport was for me, that I wanted more. Playing for points and competing in tournaments, especially in singles, is something completely different from simply hitting through. In addition to technical skills, the so-called ‘mentality’ starts to count.

Being able to concentrate for long periods of time, being alone with yourself and your thoughts, observing the court and your opponent, drawing conclusions… it’s a bit like meditation in a way😊.

That surprised me… without knowing the story I would say that you have been playing tennis since you were little😊. You play a lot of tournaments and in many of them you are on the podium. Do you have a specific training cycle or do you go ‘on the spur of the moment’?

I play a training session with my coach and a few league matches a week – both singles and doubles, which I really enjoy. I play a lot in tournaments, which are usually organised at weekends. These are not only sporting events, but also social events. There’s usually a great atmosphere, a lot of friends with the same ‘tennis vibe’, it’s fun. But the physical effort involved in competing in a tournament can be very high. When it comes to the training cycle I should spend more time on physical preparation, but unfortunately I often choose a nice match instead of going to the gym😊.

And no matter how you look at it, this tactic gets results😊. Who is your tennis idol/idol and what do you value him/her most for?

I enjoy watching Novak Djokovic’s matches and value him very highly as an athlete. I leave aside his views on life, because they are often, let’s call them ‘controversial’. He works hard for his tennis success. It seems to me that, apart from being the best, he simply enjoys playing tennis, or perhaps it would be better to say winning😊. He is always perfectly prepared physically and has an incredible ‘head’. He is difficult to distract. He competes against much younger players than himself and wins with most of them. Novak loses sporadically and usually to the best. I like that because it breaks the stereotypes of age and sport. Of course, I also like watching Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz😊. Of the WTA players, I’m obviously rooting for Iga! But I must admit that I also admire Sabalenka for the progress she has made in the last two years. I also love watching the doubles games.

Your biggest tennis assets are…

Hmm😊 very tricky question. If I’m having a good day I can concentrate very well on a match.

If you could give your younger self any golden advice on the court what would it sound like?

Be patient and play deep at the end of the court waiting for an opportunity😊. Discover your opponents’ weaknesses and use them to your advantage.

And how do you motivate yourself when a match doesn’t go your way?

I try to move all the time. Stillness is an ally of the paralysis colloquially known as ‘concrete shoes’ that sometimes overwhelms players on court.

You run the company ACTIVEZONE INCENTIVE & EVENTS on a day-to-day basis. Would you like to introduce us to your business?

I deal with the organisation of incentive company trips, the so-called Incentive, as well as events, meetings and conferences, reward trips. As part of our work, we prepare original and unusual travel programmes to interesting or unique places around the world. This requires me to travel frequently, sometimes to other continents, to change time zones, to be ‘on suitcases’ all the time. However, I really enjoy my work. It allows me to get to know the people, culture and customs in other places around the world. It broadens my horizons and gives me a different perspective.

I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t ask about sportswear😉. Does it matter to you what you play in and do you choose your outfits for the match or do you wear whatever you happen to have on hand?

I definitely choose. I have my favourite outfits and, for example, I consider some skirts ‘lucky’ and I choose them when competing in tournaments. I have one super shorts, but I only wear them for training because I haven’t won a match in them yet😊.

That’s what I see, I think we all have such luck-bringing outfits😊. Finally, tell me more about whether you have a tennis dream you’d like to achieve in the coming year?

I want to develop and play better and better. And I believe that this is possible. Amateurs can develop and play better with age, unlike professionals who have little chance of playing better than they played when they were young, at the peak of their abilities. That motivates me in a way😊.

I also believe that this development is possible. May all your goals come true!

Thank you for the interview!

Photos: Kama Borowska/ UpToU

We would like to thank the WSG YANKEE TENNIS CLUB  for allowing us to use the courts for our photo shoot <3

We are a professional tour operator operating on the market since 2007. We specialise in the organisation of incentive and integration trips and events for corporate clients. Our main activities focus on the organisation of corporate trips, incentive and reward trips, integration and training trips, as well as trade fair and conference trips to destinations around the world. We also organise professional corporate events, industry meetings, conferences, company anniversaries and product presentations.

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