June Lee

To Whom It May Concern,

From 2010 to 2011, my daughter, June Lee, trained regularly at ITUSA Academy in Arizona with former WTA star Meghann Shaughnessy and Coach Rafael Font de Mora.

Before our move from New Jersey to Arizona, friends shared articles regarding the relationship between Meghann and Rafael. However, I rely on my own firsthand observations. What I personally witnessed during our time at the academy did not reflect the claims made in those articles.

As a parent, I observed daily training sessions and interactions among my daughter, Rafael, and Meghann. The quality of training was outstanding. Each session demonstrated exceptional intensity, structure, and professionalism. The environment was disciplined, positive, and focused on developing athletes not only in performance but also in character.

Through my direct observations, I saw a professional partnership grounded in mutual respect, dedication, and integrity. Every practice reflected organization, accountability, and a commitment to excellence. Rafael consistently set high standards while encouraging players to grow with confidence and resilience.

After Meghann retired, June continued training with Rafael until she left for Harvard University. She went on to become captain of the Harvard women's tennis team and graduated in 2017. Rafael's influence extended far beyond technical instruction. His discipline, integrity, and work ethic helped shape my daughter and many other young athletes. He instilled confidence, resilience, and a positive mindset — qualities they will carry throughout their lives.

I offer my strongest endorsement of Rafael Font de Mora without reservation.

Sincerely, Huanhong Xia

I did not start playing tennis until I was almost 9 years old. My dad was an avid recreational tennis player, and one day I decided to accompany him to the park's tennis courts. He looked like he was having so much fun, so I told my parents that I wanted to learn how to play.

At first, tennis was just a fun hobby, but as I improved, I started taking it more seriously. I began playing sectional and national tournaments at the age of 11.

Had it not been for the love and support of my parents, Dayong Li and Huanhong Xia, the achievements I am about to share would not have been possible.

It was not until I was 14 years old that I met Rafa for the first time. My parents and I came to Arizona for the Winter Super Nationals tournament in December, for which I was an alternate. At that time, I was ranked around 350 in the nation and could not get into the tournament, so I needed a place to practice. My mom started asking other parents if there were any good coaches in the area, and they told her about ITUSA and Rafael Font de Mora. They said, "Rafael is a crazy coach. He's very strict, tough, and expensive." After learning that Rafa had trained and worked with many top professionals like Meghann Shaughnessy, my parents got his phone number and contacted him. Rafa invited us for a tryout, and right away my parents and I loved his training and work ethic.

Rafa convinced my parents and me that I would not make significant improvements in tennis unless I trained full time, so I moved from my home in New Jersey to Arizona in July of 2010.

The first thing Rafa and I did after I moved to Arizona was to create a detailed plan of all my goals, crossing each one off the list as I moved forward. I went from being ranked 350 in the nation and unable to get into national tournaments to being ranked among the top 150 in the world in ITF Juniors and obtaining a professional ranking. I was the singles finalist in Puerto Rico, doubles champion in the Dominican Republic, and a qualifier in the U.S. Open Juniors. Looking back, my progress and success built the confidence and high self-esteem that I have today.

Some of the most important lessons I have learned in life have been here at ITUSA. Rafa and ITUSA taught me about attitude, discipline, commitment, determination, and courage. I also learned how to control my nerves, develop skills and tactics, transition from being a defensive to an offensive player, and adopt an aggressive mindset overall. With the right attitude and approach, I found ways to deal with nervousness and fear, and to embrace all challenges, which has shaped the type of player and person I have become. iTUSA is a mindset; it is about replacing bad habits with new and exciting dreams.

Nothing comes easy. You will face doubts, difficulties, and obstacles, just as I did, but as long as you "keep your eyes on the prize and weather the storm," you will ultimately prevail. After truly getting to know myself, quitting was no longer an option. There are absolutely no shortcuts. It is about the process and working hard every day to build character, which is one of the reasons why I love tennis. Tennis is a true reflection of yourself and who I am. I am out there on my own, with no teammates, no timeouts — just me. That is when I see who I am and what I have inside. By enduring the physical and mental demands of training and competition and pushing myself to new limits, I have proven that greatness can be achieved.

Both of my parents dedicated their lives to give me this incredible opportunity. My father works extremely hard every day to support me financially, while my mother devoted her life to traveling with me from tournament to tournament. It is very important for the coach and parents to be aligned, to have the same plan, and to take the same approach. By channeling all their energy in the same direction, I have been able to achieve success.

My choices and what I have learned have shaped me into a well-rounded, successful person. I have been enriched by the opportunities that have come from my involvement in tennis, and I have not allowed my results in tennis to limit my horizons. iTUSA has taught me to be the best both on and off the court and to aim as high as possible.

It all makes sense now that I am at Harvard. It is truly an amazing experience to be surrounded by the most talented and accomplished people in the world. Everyone is respected and admired for their skills and talents. These individuals will be the leaders of the world, leaders in their respective fields — they are the future.

Your future is now, so you decide what you are going to make of it!