Elisabeth Fournier

Elisabeth Fournier – Tennis Player

Photography By: April Greer

Getting her first tennis racquet at the age of five, Elisabeth dreamed of one day becoming a professional tennis player. Starting lessons at the age eight, Fournier trained with various coaches, but significantly remembers, and is grateful for her first coach, John Tokos. He had trained her to hit a one-handed backhand. Years later, the dream of turning pro never died. Fournier recognized the benefit of earning a college scholarship as the perfect opportunity to earn a degree and to gain optimal experience in match play to improve her skillset to turn pro. Elisabeth, native to Canada, visited Washington State University earned a scholarship to play tennis at Washington State University. She chose WSU as she fell in “love” with the team and campus during her recruiting visit. In addition, coach, Lisa Hart, and Elisabeth got along wonderfully from the initial, interest phone call. Her most significant collegiate victory was defeating Stanford’s #1 player, Hillary Barte, during her sophomore year at WSU. At that time, Barte was ranked 8th in the country. Fournier’s style of play is full court. Her strategy is to “mix things up” in order to make her opponent feel uncomfortable. Plus, Fournier’s biggest weapon is speed and athleticism.

What words of advice does Elisabeth have for other athletes with similar aspirations? Fournier states, “It’s all a question of how much you are willing to put in to get what you want. Nothing comes easily, but more importantly you have to enjoy the challenge that comes with shooting for a high goal.”