CANDI WAI – A FOUNDATION MEMBER WHO SHINES AS A PERFECT ROLE MODEL

News and Stories by Nino Severino

Hearing from our foundation players who are thriving in the USA is always a tremendous joy for me. Most recently, I received a message from Candy Wai, letting me know she had competed in a Division 1 invitational tournament and finished undefeated.

The story of the Elena Baltacha Foundation and Candy Wai stretches back many years, and it began purely by chance. I was at a tournament when someone mentioned that a young player there needed support with her tennis journey. That player was Candy. She had attended the event with her aunt, as her parents were still living in Hong Kong.

After the tournament, the three of us sat down to talk. It quickly became clear that Candy was at a crossroads and urgently needed guidance. Without proper support, there was a real possibility she would have had to step away from tennis altogether. I agreed to help build a programme around her needs, which soon grew into broader support through the Elena Baltacha Foundation. This included practical assistance such as arranging transport because she had no reliable way to get to training.

When her parents later moved to Ipswich, I developed a wonderful relationship with the whole Wai family. I was often welcomed into their home for unforgettable dinners, and I helped however I could through Elena’s legacy, whether it was moving house, transporting furniture, or offering day-to-day support. It’s fair to say that the Elena Baltacha Foundation supported the Wai family through every step of their transition to life in Ipswich.

Candy has grown into an outstanding role model for the young players now making their way through the Elena Baltacha Foundation Tennis Programme. She is an exceptional person, caring, compassionate, thoughtful, loyal, and deeply committed. She also became an integral part of our coaching team, giving her time and energy to support many younger players who needed guidance. She embodies the very best of what a foundation member can be: someone who benefited from the support offered to her and chose to give back even more than she received.

Candy has truly become a lifelong member of the Elena Baltacha Family, always returning to Ipswich to reconnect with us. From coffee and chats with me to meetings with the other foundation girls and heartfelt conversations with young players and their parents, her presence is cherished. Our bond with Candy is priceless and deeply meaningful, perfectly reflecting everything Elena would have hoped for her foundation. Through remarkable people like Candy, Elena’s legacy and spirit continue to live on.

The parents of the Elena Baltacha Foundation hold immense love and affection for Candy, always eager to see her when she returns to Ipswich and even organising birthday celebrations in her honour. These gestures truly reflect the depth of their care for her. I, alongside the players and all the parents, will never forget the remarkable loyalty Candy has shown to the Elena Baltacha Foundation.

Relationships like the one between Candy Wai and the parents of the Elena Baltacha Foundation are vital because they create a network of trust, support, and shared purpose. Candy’s commitment to giving back fosters camaraderie and mentorship, showing young players what dedication and generosity look like in action. For parents, seeing someone they trust guide and inspire their children provides reassurance and strengthens community bonds. These connections go beyond tennis; they build lasting friendships, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging. Such relationships are essential in nurturing growth, confidence, and resilience, creating an environment where everyone thrives together.

Candy Wai’s position as a role model for young players within the Elena Baltacha Foundation is profoundly important because it provides a living example of what dedication, resilience, and generosity look like in action. Having navigated the challenges of pursuing tennis at a high level while balancing academics and personal development, Candy embodies the values that the foundation seeks to instil in its athletes. Her commitment to giving back through coaching, mentoring, and personal support demonstrates the importance of community, empathy, and teamwork. For young players, seeing someone who once received support now helping others reinforces the idea that success is not only personal achievement but also about lifting others along the way. Candy’s integrity, loyalty, and care create an environment where players feel inspired, supported, and motivated to reach their potential, both on and off the court. She is the embodiment of the foundation’s ethos in action.

Candy has now settled into a wonderful tennis life in the States, becoming an incredibly valued player of the Liberty Flames tennis team.

The Liberty Flames tennis programme, based at Liberty University in Virginia, offers a competitive and academically supportive environment for student-athletes who aspire to excel both on the court and in the classroom. Designed with scholars in mind, the programme emphasises discipline, character development, and academic achievement alongside athletic performance. Student-athletes benefit from structured training sessions, individualised coaching, and access to high-quality facilities that help them develop technical skill, strategic awareness, and physical conditioning.

Beyond athletics, the programme places a strong emphasis on academic success. Scholars receive guidance from academic advisors who understand the demands of collegiate sports, along with access to tutoring, study halls, and time-management support. This balance allows players to pursue rigorous degrees while maintaining their commitment to the team. The programme also encourages community involvement, leadership development, and personal growth, helping students mature into well-rounded individuals.

Competing in NCAA Division I tennis, Liberty’s teams consistently strive for excellence and sportsmanship. The culture promotes resilience, teamwork, and a dedication to improvement. For scholars seeking a college experience that blends academic ambition with high-level athletic opportunity, the Liberty Flames tennis programme offers a strong platform for success and long-term personal development.

Candy, we wish you every success, everyone at the Elena Baltacha Foundation is incredibly proud of all that you are accomplishing.