Get to know Emily Carter - Tennis NZ Head of High Performance

Here at Tennis NZ we value gender equity and all of the many wonderful contributions women make to our sport.

We have joined forces with Radix Nutrition to celebrate International Women's Day 2024. Together we are celebrating all of the incredible women in our sport. One in particular is Emily Carter, Tennis NZ Head of High Performance. We sat down with Emily to discuss her current role and about those who have inspired her throughout her career.   

What do you do in your current role at Tennis NZ?  

My role at Tennis NZ is Head of High Performance, therefore my job is to manage anything and everything performance related. I work with my team to continually improve what we deliver in this space, build strategy and pathways to support our best players.

What do you love most about your job?

The people. Working with so many different players, parents, coaches, colleagues and stakeholders over the last 15 years gives you a unique opportunity to interact with people from all over the world with different background and skills. Everyone has something you can learn from them.

Tell us about your PhD and it's significance to your role in High Performance.  

My PhD is in Sport and Exercise Science, with my thesis being focused on the athletic development of junior tennis players. I came into my PhD with a background in physiotherapy (BSc) and strength and conditioning (MSc) working in both fields in elite tennis in the UK for 5 years beforehand. It was only natural my research combined the two areas and really focused on gaining a better understanding of the relationship between how well a player moves and their tennis performance, as well the correlations with fitness characteristics and how much they train and compete throughout their junior career.

The research also specifically investigated the junior tennis community in NZ to understand our player training and competition volumes, player physicality in comparison to their international peers, and subsequently where some of our gaps or weakness may lie.

This helps us base our recommendations and guidelines for junior players not only on existing published research by other federations, but also on data that originates here in NZ and is specific to our performance community.

Which women inspire you the most?

I could make a huge list here! I think any woman who can be their authentic selves, owns their passion and fully commits to chasing their goals, whilst lifting and empowering other women along the way is an inspiration to me. What they do is irrelevant, could be an athlete, a leader, a stay at home mum, any vocation, but those personal qualities are very inspirational. 

What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?

I would like to see girls get the same opportunities as boys do. In all aspects of life, but obviously sport holds a special place in my heart. I feel like the dial is moving forwards slowly in recent years, but we are still quite a way away. 

Who has had the greatest influence on you professionally and why?

I would probably say both parents and my first two employers in Strength & Conditioning/Physiotherapy for different reasons.

My parents both worked in public service (policeman and nurse), they had long hours, shift work which they juggled with three kids, worked incredibly hard and are to this day incredible professional. They taught me from an early age, that if I wanted something I had to work hard for it and earn it myself.

My first employers Gareth and Nick are two of the most passionate individuals in their respective fields. They both took me on at the same time with relatively limited experience and empowered me with support, mentorship and inspiration through their passion and commitment to continuously improve themselves.

Do you have any skills or special talents that most people don’t know about?

I am black belt in karate and competed for Great Britain for seven years and also a classically trained dancer.

Any advice you can give to young & aspiring NZ tennis players?

Work hard, enjoy the process and keep focused on the big picture and long-term goals, as it is long journey!

If you could be anywhere other than here, right this minute, where would you be?

Spending time with my family and UK based family, preferably on a tropical island somewhere!

If you could have any superhero power, what would it be and why?

Definitely the ability to clone myself, as any Mum of young kids would say, juggling work-life can be a challenge and a body double would come in a real handy!

What is your favourite Radix Nutrition product and why?

I don’t do well without breakfast, but mornings can be hectic in our house, so the Original Breakfast Range is a winner for me. It is quick and accessible, but also nutritionally balanced so can rely getting some good energy even when short on time.