In a world that often demands specialization, Ler Qi, a 24-year-old rising tennis star from Singapore, is gracefully defying convention. While most professional athletes immerse themselves entirely in the rigor of their sport, Ler Qi has found an unexpected sanctuary far from the roars of the stadium—in her own kitchen.
By day, she’s a fierce competitor on the ITF circuit, known for her lightning-fast footwork and lethal service game. By night, she exchanges rackets for rolling pins and baking sheets, crafting delicate cakes and pastries with the same precision that she brings to her cross-court forehands.
“People always ask me how I balance it,” she says, laughing. “To me, it’s not balance. It’s rhythm. Like in a rally. Tennis is explosive. Baking is meditative. I need both to stay whole.”
A Different Kind of Debut
Born and raised in the heart of Singapore, Ler Qi (pronounced ‘ler chee’) was introduced to tennis at the age of six by her father, a recreational player who believed that sports built discipline. From an early age, she showed promise—her coordination, competitiveness, and quick learning curve drew the attention of coaches at a local academy.
By the time she was 13, she was competing in junior tournaments across Southeast Asia. But while her peers were obsessing over rankings and rackets, Ler Qi was spending her downtime immersed in an entirely different world: food blogs and baking YouTube channels.
“I think I was 12 when I baked my first chiffon cake. It collapsed miserably,” she recalls with a smile. “But I was hooked. There was something so peaceful about the process. I loved how baking had rules but also room for artistry.”
As her tennis career advanced, baking remained a quiet companion, hidden from the public eye but central to her identity.
The Turning Point
It was during the pandemic lockdowns of 2020 that Ler Qi’s two worlds collided more publicly. With the tennis season paused, she returned to Singapore and began baking in earnest. What started as stress relief quickly turned into a creative outlet. She began sharing her baked creations on Instagram—from matcha mille crêpe cakes to durian puffs with hand-whipped cream.
The response was overwhelming. Fans and followers, many of whom knew her as an athlete, were delighted to see another side of her.
“It wasn’t calculated,” she says. “I just needed something to keep my mind engaged. But the messages poured in. People were like, ‘Wait, you’re the same girl who beat the No. 3 seed in Bangkok last year?’”
In 2021, she created a side brand—“Racquet & Whisk”—an Instagram page devoted to tennis and baking. The bio read: “Serving aces & slicing cakes.” The phrase would come to define her philosophy.
Serving Aces: A Player to Watch
Ler Qi’s rise through the tennis ranks hasn’t been meteoric, but it’s been consistent. Known for her tenacity and sportsmanship, she has earned respect across the ITF circuit. Her left-handed serve, with natural spin and precision, has become a hallmark of her game, especially effective on faster courts.
Currently ranked No. 342 in the world, she has reached three ITF finals and made headlines in 2024 after defeating a top-100 player at the Hua Hin Challenger.
“I’m not the biggest hitter out there,” she admits. “But I play smart. I read my opponents. I know when to change the tempo.”
Her coach, Samuel Tan, says Ler Qi’s tactical intelligence is what sets her apart.
“She’s like a chess player on the court. She’s always planning three shots ahead. But more than that, she brings joy to the game. She competes hard, but she smiles. That’s rare.”
In 2025, she hopes to break into the WTA Top 200 and qualify for her first Grand Slam. “I want to play in Melbourne,” she says. “Not just because it’s a Slam, but because there’s a bakery near Rod Laver Arena that makes the best lemon tart I’ve ever had.”
Slicing Cakes The Therapy of Baking
For Ler Qi, baking isn’t just a hobby—it’s a form of recovery. When matches end in frustration or the pressure of the tour mounts, the kitchen becomes her sanctuary.
“I once lost in the first round of a tournament in Jakarta and flew home the next day. I didn’t even unpack my bag. I went straight to the kitchen and made a black sesame cheesecake,” she says.
She compares the mindfulness required in baking to that of playing tennis. “You have to be present. Measure exactly. Know your ingredients. Understand how heat changes things. It’s like a match—you react, adjust, adapt.”
Her favorite dessert to bake? Pandan coconut chiffon cake.
“It’s nostalgic,” she says. “It reminds me of my grandmother. She used to make it for Chinese New Year. Mine’s not as good as hers yet. But I’m working on it.”
The Sweet Spot Where Passions Intersect
For some, pursuing dual passions might seem like a distraction, especially in the unforgiving world of professional sport. But for Ler Qi, baking is not a side gig—it’s part of the equilibrium that allows her to excel.
Her mornings begin with intense training: on-court drills, strength and conditioning, mental work. Her afternoons, when not traveling, are often spent experimenting in the kitchen—tweaking flavors, adjusting bake times, perfecting decoration.
“Some days, I’m mixing protein powder into brownies. Other days, I’m piping buttercream onto birthday cakes for friends. It keeps me human,” she says.
In 2024, during an off-season stint in Paris, she even took a short course in pâtisserie at Le Cordon Bleu.
“She has that mix of discipline and curiosity that you want in any field,” said her instructor, Chef Alain Morel. “She applied tennis logic to baking—practice, analyze, improve.”
A New Kind of Role Model
Ler Qi is fast becoming a symbol for multi-dimensional athletes in Asia. In an era where mental health and personal balance are under the spotlight, she represents a more sustainable model of professional excellence—one where ambition doesn’t demand the sacrifice of joy.
Her story resonates especially with young women who feel pressured to choose between their artistic passions and competitive careers.
Tiffany Ng, a 16-year-old junior player from Kuala Lumpur, says Ler Qi’s example changed her outlook.
“I used to hide the fact that I loved painting because I thought my coach wouldn’t take me seriously. But seeing Ler Qi win matches and bake beautiful cakes? That made me realize you can be both.”
Brands have started to take notice, too. In 2025, Ler Qi signed a partnership deal with an Asian kitchen appliance brand, who called her “the perfect fusion of finesse and fire.” She’s also been featured in both Tennis Asia and Taste & Travel magazines.
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