Raetea Rongo: Rising tennis star from Cook Islands shines on international stage

At just 16 years old, Raetea Rongo is making a name for herself on tennis courts around the world, proudly representing the Cook Islands.

She recently returned from an exciting trip to Malaysia, where she competed in the Billie Jean King Cup Junior pre-qualifiers.

The tournament attracted players from 14 countries across Asia and the Pacific.

“It was a really cool experience,” Rongo says. “Travelling to new countries, trying new foods, playing with new people, and making new friends, it was amazing. It was hot, but overall, a really good trip.”

Competing for the Cook Islands, Rongo faced off against some of the top junior players in Asia.

Despite the tough competition, she held her own and felt proud of her performance.

“I was playing against the best in Asia from all these countries in my age group.

“It felt great to represent our country and see how I measured up against such talented players.”

Rongo’s journey in tennis began at the age of three and a half, when she first picked up a racket while living in Florida in the United States with her parents.

Raetea Rongo, third from the left, with teammates. Photo/Jackie Rongo

She started playing competitively around the age of nine, and her dedication to the sport has grown ever since.

Reflecting on her training, she acknowledges the hard work and perseverance required to compete at such a high level.

When asked what advice she would give to other young athletes, Rongo didn’t hesitate.

“Never give up and work hard, especially when you’re going through rough patches in your journey. The results are more rewarding when you stick it out.”

Watch Raetea Rongo's full interview on PMN Cooks below.

In early April, Rongo will head to Fiji for back-to-back tournaments. The first is the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships (POJC), where she will compete against other Pacific nations.

Following that, she will participate in an ITF tournament, facing off against international players from countries such as Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Rongo took a moment to thank her coach, Malcom, for his guidance over the years and the Cook Islands tennis community and her family for their support.

“I’d like to thank my mom and dad, my family, and everyone who has supported me. It means so much.”