👧 Yara Diekema | Tennis Papers interview, December 2025

“⁠My tennis dream is to win Roland-Garros or Wimbledon.”

Meet Yara Diekema, Dutch girl junior tennis player who lives in Monster, Netherlands and competing in U12 tennis category.
Yara is ranked among the top 10 players in the Netherlands and participates in Tennis Europe international tournaments.

(Information gathered via an exclusive interview by Tennis Papers).

📘 Yara Diekema | Biography, December 2025

🌊 Monster, Netherlands 🇳🇱

🏖️ Known for wide beaches and peaceful dunes
🌬️ Perfect for kitesurfing, walking & cycling
🌿 Surrounded by greenhouses and coastal nature
🌞 Enjoy quiet charm and friendly local vibes
🚲 A cozy spot close to The Hague & Westland

🎙️Yara Diekema | Interview, December 2025

Hello, introduce yourself please.

My name is Yara Diekema, I am 12 years old and I was born in Delft, Netherlands on the 6th of April 2013.
I am half Dutch and half South Korean.

What languages do you speak?

I speak English and Dutch.

At what age did you start playing tennis?

⁠I started playing tennis at 4,5 years old.

Are there other tennis players in your family?

⁠My mother and my father also play(ed) tennis, but not on a high level.

In which club do you train?

⁠My tennis club is Gym Sportcentrum (Antwerp Talent Tennis Academy mindset matters) in Schoten, a small city in Belgium

Who are your coaches?

⁠My coaches are Ann Devries, Nancy Feber in Belgium and Marcel Kokshoorn in the Netherlands.

What is your weekly training routine?

⁠I train 6 days a week — 13,5 hours tennis, 4 hours physical training.

As an athlete, what is your greatest quality and what do you need to improve?

⁠My greatest quality is my mentality and my backhand. What I need to improve is my forehand.

What is your junior category and your national ranking?

⁠ My junior ranking in the Netherlands under-12 is #10.

What has been your greatest achievement?

⁠My best succes is winning a juniors gold ranking tournament in doubles and finalist in the singles.

In which countries have you already played tournament?

⁠I have played tournaments in the Netherlands, Belgium and in Romania.

Do you have any sponsors?

⁠My sponsors are Wilson and Sport2000 Naaldwijk.

What is your goal for 2026?

⁠My goal is to be in the top 3 of Dutch girls born in 2013.

What is your tennis dream?

⁠My tennis dream is to win Roland-Garros or Wimbledon.

Who are your favorite tennis players?

My favorite tennis players are Jannik Sinner and, among women, Mirra Andreeva.

What do you like to do outside of tennis?

I also like to draw or paint and to be with friends.

To which people would you like to dedicate this interview?

⁠I want to thank my family, my sponsors and my coaches for the support.

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