Picture a 3-year-old girl from Miami, tennis racket in hand, eyes alive with excitement. That was Penelope Parrott, a current Laurel Springs 7th-grader who discovered her passion for tennis as a toddler during an after-school activity. “I remember just falling in love with it,” she recalls with a smile. Fast forward to today, and Penelope, who now lives in the South of France, is not only a rising tennis superstar with a French ranking of 15/4, but also a stellar student and an aspiring philanthropist. With a developing family foundation aimed at supporting young female athletes, Penelope is a living testament to how the power of determination, family support, quality coaching, and flexible education make all the difference in shaping the future of young competitors.

Meeting the Courts and Climbing the Ranks

Tennis instantly resonated with Penelope, igniting a fire that’s only continued to grow over the years. Her recent selection to participate in the qualifiers for the prestigious Les Petits As tournament (The Lacoste World Championship, which is recognized as the world’s leading indoor Under-14 competition) is an example of her rising status in the sport. Les Petits As is known for being a launching pad for aspiring athletes, as many professional tennis players were once competitors at the tournament.

When asked about her athletic inspirations, Penelope lights up, enthusiastically naming Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz. “I look up to Sabalenka because she is a fighter,” Penelope shares. “She never gives up, no matter how mad she is. She’s also very aggressive, and I like that because I’m learning to be more aggressive on the court.” Her admiration extends to Alcaraz, particularly for his impressive achievements, like winning 2 grand slams before turning 21. “He’s so committed to tennis,” she remarks. “And he’s an animal on the court!”

By seven years old, Penelope was on a serious path in the sport, and now at 12, she’s one of 200 athletes at the coveted Mouratoglou Tennis Academy. “I am so proud of my acceptance into Mouratoglou,” she reflects. “It’s the best tennis academy in the world! My coaches are great and are really patient. I feel way more confident in my game than I did before.” She mentions CEO and Coach Patrick Mouratoglou specifically, shares how kind and present he is, and how much he’s positively impacted her as an athlete. “I’m really grateful for Patrick. Even though I still get nervous playing if he’s watching, he’s super nice and knows so much. I’m getting more confident every day!”

The Laurel Springs Advantage

Balancing her tennis training with academics is no small feat. Penelope’s typical day starts at 7:00am with schoolwork, followed by a private tennis lesson at 10:00am. Afternoons usually consist of more training, fitness, stretching, and recovery. If time is short for school work, she might squeeze in an assignment or two during her lunch break. Her evening concludes with dinner with her family, playing with her dogs, talking to friends on the phone while receiving leg massages with her compression boots, “or ice baths!” she adds.

Fortunately, Laurel Springs School has been a big ally in Penelope’s pursuit of her passion. The ability to access her coursework at any time, and from anywhere, allows her to juggle it all. “Laurel Springs has influenced my life in a lot of ways,” she explains. “I’m really grateful for my flexible schedule. Right now, I’m in Training Center Four, which means in addition to my regular training schedule, I get to train for at least four additional hours each week with my coaches; and if it weren’t for Laurel Springs, I wouldn’t get to do that.” With aspirations of one day ranking among the top WTA tennis athletes globally and clinching a Grand Slam title, specifically the US Open, Laurel Springs’ flexibility and athletic support is crucial.

A Family Mission to Support Female Athletes

One thing that really stands out about Penelope’s story is the fact that her family not only serves as her cheer squad, they’re also visionaries with a passion for giving back. As a family, including her sister Phalyn, the Parrott’s are laying the groundwork for a foundation dedicated to financially supporting female tennis athletes.

Tennis is a very expensive sport, and many young athletes struggle to reach their greatest potential without sponsorships or serious financial support. “Our goal is to try and alleviate some financial obstacles, provide equipment, training scholarships, mentorships, and overall support for these athletes,” Penelope says. “We’re not just hoping to provide financial assistance; we’re also hoping to build futures in sports for girls who might otherwise miss out.”

“I will help design the logo,” she adds with enthusiasm. As a creative who loves to draw and looks up to entrepreneurs and creators like Jerry Lorenzo, Founder of Fear of God Athletics brand, Penelope sees a lot of opportunity for intertwining her love for tennis with creativity. “One day, I want to have my very own apparel brand!”

Life Beyond Tennis and Future Ambitions

When she’s not on the court, Penelope spends time drawing, creating, and working out on her own. “Right now, I’m working really hard so I can qualify to play in the Junior Orange Bowl next year.” Other elite 14-and-under events like the Eddie Herr International Junior Championship and Tennis Europe Super Category tournaments are also on her radar.

As Penelope progresses in the world of competitive tennis, she’s actively seeking sponsorships to fuel her journey and has dreams of partnering with well-known brands. “I’m also really lucky to have met Durana Elmi, the founder of Cymbiotika,” she shares with pride. “She’s so nice and supportive of my tennis journey. I hope to play in the Cymbiotika San Diego Open one day.”

Penelope’s story is clearly about so much more than tennis; it’s about a young athlete’s relentless pursuit of excellence in sports and academics, and her commitment to creatively making a difference in the world. “It’s hard to balance everything sometimes, but I love being challenged,” Penelope emphasizes. With Laurel Springs providing a flexible academic environment that sets her up for high performance in athletics and top-tier opportunities post graduation, and her family’s unwavering support, she is indeed a girl to remember, and an athlete to stay on the lookout for!

To stay up to date with Penelope and follow along on her journey, find her on Instagram at @penelope.parrott, and watch as she continues to navigate life with confidence, creativity, and strength.

For more information about Laurel Springs School and how the flexible, personalized curriculum supports student-athletes, visit our website. You can also attend a Virtual Open House to learn more.

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