👧 Alya Babacan | Tennis Papers interview, September 2025

“My dream is to become number 1 in the world as a Turkish girl.”

Meet Alya Babacan, Turkish girl, talent junior tennis player who lives in Istanbul, Turkey and competing in U9 tennis category.

📘 Alya Babacan | Biography, September 2025

🏠 Residence | Istanbul, Turkey

🌍 Istanbul is a vibrant city that connects Europe and Asia.
🏛️ It’s famous for Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the bustling Grand Bazaar.
🚤 The Bosphorus Strait gives the city stunning views and ferry rides between two continents.
🌳 Istanbul also has beautiful parks and gardens where families can relax and enjoy the city’s lively spirit.

🎙️Alya Babacan | Interview, September 2025

Hello, introduce yourself please.
My name is Alya Babacan, I am 8 years old and I was born on June 15, 2017.
I am Turkish, and I live in Istanbul, one of the most beautiful cities in Turkey.

What languages ​​do you speak?
I can speak Turkish and English.

At what age did you start playing tennis?
I first held a racket when I was 4 and a half years old, and since then I have never given up on this passion.

Are there other tennis players in your family?
My family are great tennis fans. I grew up watching tennis matches with them, and that is how my love for the sport got even stronger.

In which club do you train tennis?
I train at BD Tenis Akademisi.

Who is your tennis coach?
I have worked with many amazing coaches so far, including Nehir Karagöz (@nehir.karagoz.399), Mert Hardal (@merthardal), Mustafa Er (@mustafa_er_tenis), Tolga Sezgün (@szgntollga), Bülent Duran (@bulentdutan75), Yusuf Tırpan (@yusuf.trpan), and Burak Menteşin (@ktm.burak).
Each of them has contributed a lot to my development, and I am very grateful for their efforts. I will also continue working with other valuable coaches in my tennis journey.

How many hours a week do you train tennis and do physical training?
I train actively 6 days a week, focusing on improving my technique, footwork, and match play.

What is your best shot and things you need to improve?
My best shots are my forehand and my volley — I love being aggressive and finishing points at the net.
I am working to improve my serve and backhand, because I know they will make me a more complete and stronger player in the future.

What is your junior tennis category and your national tennis ranking?
I am playing in the U9 category. In Turkey, the official national ranking system starts from the age of 12, so I am preparing myself step by step for when the ranking begins.

What are your best tennis results?
So far, I have played in 4 tournaments, winning 14 out of 15 matches. Until now, I mostly played in my own age group, but in my last tournament I challenged older players and fought very strongly. These tournaments have given me great mental strength and physical endurance, which make me even more motivated for the future.
👉 You can also follow my official profile on the Turkish Tennis Federation’s website.

In which countries have you already participated in tennis tournaments?
I have competed in tournaments in Turkey.
My dream is to face international opponents and play in other countries as soon as possible.

What is the first country you dream of playing in?
I dream of playing in England, at Wimbledon, because it is the most famous and historic tournament in the world. Playing there one day would be a big step toward my dream of becoming number one. I also dream of competing in France (Roland Garros), the United States (US Open), and Australia (Australian Open), because these tournaments are where champions are made.

Do you have any sponsors?
Right now, my sponsors are my family 😊.
But of course, I would love to have real sponsors in the future who believe in my dream and support me on my journey to the top.

What is your tennis dream?
My dream is to become number one in the world as a Turkish girl.
I know it will take a lot of hard work, discipline, and big courage — but I believe in myself and I will never give up.
One day, I want to show all Turkish girls that big dreams can come true. 🎾✨

Who are your favorite tennis players?
In women, my favorite tennis player is Zeynep Sönmez because she is a strong fighter and a big inspiration for Turkish girls like me. I also admire Jasmine Paolini and Iga Świątek for their fighting spirit and powerful game.

In men, I admire tennis players like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz for their power, speed, and never-give-up attitude. They inspire me to always fight until the last point.

What do you like to do outside of tennis?
I love drawing, dancing, and reading books. Sometimes, during training breaks, I even dance a little bit on the court 💃🎾. I also enjoy spending time with my little sister, and being with my family is always the most precious thing for me.

Thank you so much for this interview 🙏

I just want to say once again that I always take inspiration from these words of Djokovic. 💫
🎾✨ “Dream big, dare to dream, because anything is possible. It doesn’t matter where you are coming from.” 🌍💪🌟

Thanks a lot Alya!
Tennis Papers wishes you the best in your tennis life 💜🩷

🎾 Alya Babacan | Tennis playing, September 2025

💪 Alya Babacan | Physical training, September 2025