The Multifaceted Tennis Career
of Sabastiani Leon

Sabastiani Leon, known as “Sabi” to her family and friends, has built one of the most diverse portfolios in Southern California tennis. A San José State Division I tennis alum, professional tennis player on the ITF/WTA Tour, coach and academy co-founder, USTA official, and President of the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) San Diego Section, she touches nearly every level of the sport. Her path to tennis—shaped by her cultural upbringing, supportive family, and unwavering belief in herself—is a testament to dreaming big and refusing to accept limitations. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, Sabi stands as a powerful example of a woman chasing her dreams and succeeding on multiple fronts within the sport.

Bicultural Family Bond

Born in San Diego and raised between California and Ensenada, Mexico, Sabi grew up in a supportive, bicultural family deeply connected to Southern California and Mexican roots. Her parents grew up in Ensenada and Mexicali after her grandparents immigrated from China to Mexico in the 1940s. “My grandparents moved to the U.S. but always felt it was important for me to stay connected to my cultural roots…my family was and is very close-knit. We were always around each other, always supporting each other in everything we did. I have an older brother who I always looked up to, both on and off the court. We are still very close as tennis is still the bond that keeps us close,” she says.

Tennis was a given for Sabi, even before she was born. “Tennis has always been a family sport for us. I was essentially born into it; my mom played while she was pregnant with me so the courts felt like a natural place to be. Growing up, I never wanted to miss out on the fun of being out there with my family, and that’s how I fell in love with the game,” she recalls. 

Sabi’s path began on Southern California public community courts. “I grew up on public courts with a family that researched everything they could just to give me a chance,” she shares. Despite their limited resources, she credits their belief in her as the key factor to her success.

At the age of eight, she told her family she wanted to turn professional. They laughed at first, encouraging her to pursue her college education, but they always supported her goals wholeheartedly. “That support has continued into adulthood and still means everything as I pursue my professional dream,” she reflects.

Junior Playing Days

What began as a far-fetched childhood dream, Sabi transformed into a full-blown reality. She credits USTA Southern California with helping her reach the professional ranks, laying the groundwork through junior tournaments across every level. “Southern California is a mecca of tennis. The level and depth here has been a major reason for the quality that comes out of our section. The consistently beautiful weather and abundance of courts both private and public has created a greater opportunity for high quality tennis. Being a part of this tennis community has always pushed me to improve and compete harder since the level was and has always been so high.” 

One defining junior tennis moment in her career came while competing in Mexico, where she managed new playing styles, weather conditions, and even tennis tour jargon. “[Playing in Mexico] is when I began to understand the toughness and difficulty of what we on the Tour call ‘The Grind’. Each place you face different challenges and my early experiences in Mexico helped prepare me for the challenges on and off the court,” she explains.

Life on the Professional Tour

Sabi has fully embraced “The Grind” mentality since joining the ITF/WTA Tour twelve years ago. To date, she’s won eleven ITF doubles titles across various countries and surfaces. “I’m still hunting for more,” she says eagerly. Her first doubles title was especially unforgettable, having played with a partner from Florida whom she’d never met before. “Somehow, everything just clicked. The feeling of winning your first professional title is truly incomparable,” she exclaims.

She also played in the 2025 rendition of the SoCal Pro Series, a series of seven ITF/USTA Pro Circuit tennis tournaments for men’s and women’s players that provides opportunities to earn ATP and WTA world ranking points, with events held across Southern California. “It was a wonderful experience. Having these events right in our backyard is such a gift for players, offering juniors, college athletes, and aspiring pros a real taste of the professional circuit especially without the financial burden that often comes with traveling. The level of competition is always tough as the level of tennis in Southern California is so deep.”

Now 33 years old, the main reason she’s still motivated to play on the professional tour is to one day compete in a team competition on the international stage. “It’s a big dream that still drives me every day. I also want to show the world that age doesn’t define your limits. If you have the passion, discipline, and health, you can continue to chase your goals. I want to be living proof that it’s never too late and that anything is possible,” she says.

Personalized Coaching & Development

Not only is she committed to chasing her dreams on tour, she’s also dedicated to growing the sport through her academy, Leon-Jung Tennis. Its mission is to provide high-quality, individualized tennis coaching for players of all skill levels to reach their potential both on and off the court. The idea came together with longtime friend Tyler Jung, a Biola University Division II men’s tennis alum, as a way to give back to the community through their tennis experiences. “With my background in playing and coaching at all levels, and Tyler’s experience as a player at Biola University combined with his expertise in tennis equipment from South County Tennis Shop and Irvine Tennis Shop, we had been discussing our vision for some time. The opportunity at El Toro High School aligned perfectly with what we wanted to create, and once that door opened, we knew it was the right moment to bring Leon-Jung Tennis to life,” she recalls. 

Their goal is to prioritize each athlete and adjust their coaching to fit the individual while helping them become not just good tennis players but also good human beings. “We want to raise the overall level of tennis in our area while helping players fall in love with the game,” she shares.

One of their players, Darian Pouradib—a 13 year old out of Laguna Niguel—credits the academy for transforming his game through premium, personalized coaching. “My game has completely changed as a result of training at Leon-Jung Tennis Academy. I had a Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) 3.8 when I first joined, but after a year of consistent training, I improved to a 6+ UTR, something I never would have imagined was possible in such a short amount of time. The academy offers unparalleled coaching, structure, and individualized attention. Each session is deliberate, demanding, and long-term development oriented. Above all, the coaches genuinely care about each player’s development on and off the court. I am incredibly appreciative of everything Leon-Jung Tennis Academy has done for me, and I would suggest it to any player who is serious about getting better.”

A Newfound Perspective Through Officiating

In addition to growing the game with the younger generation, she’s also dedicated to deepening her knowledge of the sport as a USTA Southern California official—a role she’s held for one year. For Sabi, officiating has served as a reminder of the critical role they play in upholding the integrity of the sport, often amidst heightened, tense situations. 

“Officials play such a critical role in our sport, yet they often receive a lot of pressure from parents and players at both the local and international levels. Stepping into their world gave me a deeper appreciation for the work they do and the challenges they face,” she says. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen how difficult their job can be by making quick decisions, managing intense situations, and keeping matches fair. Now that I’ve been in their shoes, I approach them with even more respect, even when matches get heated. They’re there to help us and maintain the integrity of the game, not to be the enemy.”

Leadership in Shaping the Game

As if she didn’t have a busy schedule already, Sabi also serves as President of RSPA San Diego, which spans across San Diego, Coachella Valley, and Imperial Valley. She is responsible for ensuring players receive high-quality instruction through RSPA’s offerings for coaches. This includes informing them about best practices in technique, equipment, and fitness, as well as assisting coaches in obtaining certifications for racquet sports. Beyond on-court development, RSPA also educates professionals on the operational and leadership side of the industry, including how to run country clubs for those aspiring to become Directors of Racquet Sports. “SafePlay certification is also enforced, which is crucial for ensuring that players, families, and coaches are protected and that everyone works in a safe and supportive environment,” she says.

Leaving the Sport Better

From competing internationally and directing a local academy to officiating matches and shaping racquet-sports education, Sabi Leon has created a career that touches nearly every corner of tennis. Each role draws from the same foundation: a commitment to learning the sport fully and leaving it better for the next generation.