Harding Grad Finds Success Off the Court at Australian Open

Hundreds of Saint Paul Public Schools student athletes begin each school year with dreams of succeeding on a bigger field of play. A professional court, maybe. And while it’s extremely difficult, statistically, to make that happen, there are other ways to make it to the top of your game.

Enter Elden Lee. 

The former Hamline Elementary, Battle Creek Middle School and Harding High School, student played two years of college tennis at Hamline, and recently found himself working at the Australian Open. While he wasn’t on the court, Lee played a huge part in the success of some of the world’s greatest athletes.

Lee worked his first tournament as a “stringer,” restringing rackets between - or during - matches for tournament athletes. This included none other than Aussie Open champion Madison Keys; Lee was her stringer for rounds one through four of the tournament.

Lee, the youngest of four children, began playing tennis at age seven since his older brother, Derrick, played too. They both were standout student athletes at Harding.

“The community, everyone there is like a family,” Lee said. “It feels very inclusive.”

How did he wind up on this side of the court?

“When you’re playing sports, you have aspirations to go pro,” he said. “Obviously some people fall short. Some people make it. Since stringing is an essential part of tennis, I learned in a winter tennis program.”

That program is Saint Paul Urban Tennis, an organization that he still is close with. In fact, he donates tennis gear to them.

“I’ve been stringing ever since,” said Lee, who said he’s mostly self taught. “I just try to mimic their work, and the certain things they do to a racket.”

Lee worked at Michael Lynne’s Tennis Shop in St. Louis Park, and through connections got the call to go to Melbourne. Amazingly enough, the Australian Open was his first tournament. He’s got the famed BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., lined up in March.

“I’m stringing for many different people, some big names come and go through the room,” he said. “A string breaks, they bring the racket in the room and you’re in a rush to get the string on as fast as possible. For me it’s a rush. It’s a challenge and exciting. You’ve got to do your best to get it out as soon as you can, but still maintain the quality on it.”

Lee hopes to serve as an inspiration for others. Hopes and dreams can change, and still become reality.