Personal Victory
An athlete speaks of struggle
I
admit, I don’t go to the ’Couv nearly as often
Ansboury proudly states that the
as I drive past it. But if I were looking for
Juniors Tennis Program has grown from
a great queer tennis coach, 1 wouldn’t hesitate
four kids to 40 dunng her tenure. She’s also
to make the short hop across the river to see
introduced Cardio Tennis, a challenging
Sarah Ansboury. Through the years I’ve
aerobic conditioning and skill development
gained an appreciation for tennis and a respect for
class that is popular with club members.
From left, Nancy Ansboury, Billie Jean King and Sarah
Ansboury have made an impact on women's tennis.
the people who play it well. Tennis requires a strong
She and her partner, former competi
and limher body, years of practice and intense
tive swimmer Brooke Mullett, reside in
mental focus. It’s hard work; on the court, there is
Portland. When asked about how it feels to be out in
she’s checked up on me. Through meeting her and
no such thing as beginners luck.
the 'Couv, Ansboury says: “Sometimes 1 worry about
knowing her I’ve learned about the history of
small-town attitudes and being singled out up here.
women’s tennis. No one has done more for women’s
It’s hard to believe that anyone is still in the closet,
tennis than Billie Jean King. She’s also helped me
and then my partner and 1 go to the Fred Meyer in
understand that tennis is supposed to be fun.”
Ansboury started her life observing tennis from
a crib kept at the corner of the court while her
mother played. Her mother initially coached her as
a youth but eventually turned her over to other
Dear Ethel
BY MARIA CALLAHAN
Battleground and remember why. We saw an older
Ansboury has had many extreme highs and lows
coaches because of the “stubborn streak” that most
entirely by the age of 18. When many people her
lesbian couple at Albertson’s a couple of weeks later
in her short lifetime. 1 went to meet her not knowing
competitive athletes possess.
age were going off to college, she entered rehab.
and felt a lot better.” She adds, “I’ve personally only
what to expect and was completely blown away by
“1 had some pretty tough coaches who pushed
Now clean for 5 1/2 years, Ansboury takes no
hard,” Ansboury says. “We didn’t really take breaks.”
pain medication. She explains that her tolerance to
In the past, queer athletes had to hide their
Like many young athletes, her body began to
pain killers is high and that over-the-counter pain
personal lives for fear of losing valuable sponsorships.
show the signs of wear and tear early, and she
relievers “don’t even touch it.” She adds, “I sit in
Tennis pro Amelie Mauresmo recently made history
remembers seeing physical therapists beginning at
the hot tub, and that helps a lot."
when she didn’t lose any of her sponsorships after
C lub G reen M eadows is at 7703 N.E. 72nd
had positive experiences.”
the strength of her spirit and willingness to share her
personal experience in the type of story that doesn’t
fit into the convention of a happy ending. ©
the age of 11. In our initial phone interview,
Although Ansboury stubbornly played though
coming out. 1 asked Ansboury what she thought of
Ave. in Vancouver, Wash. For more information call
I assumed Ansboury to be much older than 23
the pain, she coaches from an entirely different
The L Word’s portrayal of a tennis pro, the now
Ansboury at 360-256- 1 5 10 or visit
based ®n her list of surgeries: shoulder at 16, knee
angle—one that focuses on proper body mechanics,
deceased character Dana Fairbanks. “It almost
www.clubgreenmeadows .com. The fee for one-on-
at 17 and back surgery at 22. The cast on her right
injury prevention and enjoyment. She began
seemed like a parody,” she says. “1 thought it was
one tennis coaching is $45, and you do not have to be
arm is from Kienbock’s disease, a condition that
coaching at Club Green Meadows more than a year
more realistic when Dana came out, and I loved it
a club member.
might lead to yet another surgery.
She began taking pain medication for the
multiple overuse injuries at the age of 13. The use
ago at the urging of her mother, Nancy, who is the
when Billie Jean King made a guest appearance.”
club’s tennis director. Together, the two have made
Ansboury believes that since Martina Navratilova
Information in this column should not be used in
progress oh multiple levels.
came out, being queer is much more acceptable,
place of advice from a licensed health care
although she says, “It’s still more like an open secret.”
professional. If you have a health or fitness question,
of those painkillers, compounded by the death of
“I was so angry as a kid, with coaches being on top
her father, escalated into an addiction to metham
of me all of the time. This job has really improved our
phetamine. Ansboury had quit playing tennis
relationship. 1 get to be with her all week.”
Incidentally, Ansboury has known King since
e-mail D ear E thel at mariacallahan@gmail.com or
the age of 12 and says: “During my injured periods, | visit wwui.mariacaHahan.net.
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