Dear Jessica and Terry,
It’s 2014. You’ve been dating for three years and you’re about to take your relationship to the next level – this is the year you both finally become partners on court too.
Ultimately it will be successful, but it’s not going to be an easy journey. It starts off well and you’ll win your first tournament – the Singapore International.
But eventually, the honeymoon phase ends, the excitement wanes and reality sets in. Sport can sometimes be cruel and your resolve will be tested time and time again.
National service and injuries will put your partnership on hold for a few years, but don’t let that affect you. You’ll have to go through some lows before things start to pick up again. Always stay focused, committed and persevere. Never give up. Keep your sights on your Olympic dreams.
Your mixed doubles partnership resumes in 2021, the same year you two get married; just remember, it’s hard to separate the personal and professional aspects of your lives.
There will be bad days in training, fights and disagreements, but at the end of the day, you’ll still have to go home with each other.
Even now in 2023, it’s something you’re still learning to deal with but this journey you’re on, few couples will experience, and that’s what makes it special.
Travelling overseas for competitions may seem like a fun way to spend time together to outsiders, but you know these are business trips. There’s no stopping – it’s one after another with barely any time to rest. You’re lucky if you manage to have a nice dinner together in Basel or Madrid.
You’ll miss so many important occasions – Chinese New Year, parents’ birthdays, and you still haven’t gone on your honeymoon. On those rare days off, both of you will be too exhausted to go on dates. Don’t feel bad, these are the sacrifices you two are willing to make.
Jessica, that boy you saw as a cheeky troublemaker in secondary school becomes the thoughtful husband who does most of the laundry even when he’s dead tired. (You do help with the folding!)
Terry, shuttling back and forth from Woodlands to Tampines to take Jessica home during your days at the Singapore Sports School will be worth it. She really appreciates these gestures and that’s how you’ll win her heart.
Both of you will always have the other’s best interests at heart. Neither of you will get much sleep before the semi-finals and final in the Commonwealth Games – it’s the biggest tournament of your lives – but you try to hide these nerves from each other.
In the end, you both respond superbly and win both matches, claiming a historic gold medal for Singapore.
You two will cry tears of joy and pride, especially as Majulah Singapura is played when you’re standing on the podium. The year 2022 is going to be awesome as you will also win the India Open Super 500 and Orleans Masters, and rise to a career-high world No. 13 at the start of 2023.
The gold around your necks are an affirmation of the sacrifices, hard work and time you’ve put in to get to this stage.
It’s been a tough road with multiple injuries, disruptions and challenges that you’ve had to overcome, but you made it. Few know how hard it is. Make sure that it’s not just the titles you celebrate, every win means so much.
On-court partnerships may not last forever and victories are never guaranteed, but what you’ll always have is that love and support for each other.
So treasure the time you have together and keep working hard. And when you’ve given it your all on the court, maybe there will finally be time for that honeymoon in Italy.
Love,
Jessica and Terry
