For redshirt sophomore Amy Leather, the path to becoming a key player for Cal Poly women’s tennis has been anything but straightforward. The Bath, England native’s collegiate journey has tested her resilience, challenged her perspective, and ultimately evolved her love for the game.
Now forming half of Cal Poly’s formidable No. 1-2 doubles team alongside Peyton Dunkle, Leather boasts an impressive 13-7 record this season en route to earning All-Big West Conference Second Team doubles honors.
But just a year ago, she was watching from the sidelines with an injury, unable to contribute on the court, frustrated and falling out of love with the game of tennis.
Leather’s journey to Cal Poly
Tennis has been a family affair for Leather since her childhood. She was introduced to the sport through her siblings at a local tennis club in England, and the passion stuck.
Leather had an illustrious prep school career playing at the Ralph Allen School, leading them to two league championships. She was recruited as the No. 12-ranked U18 junior nationally.
Her brother Joe Leather played five years at Cal Poly, but initially, Amy wanted to forge her own path.
That independent streak led her to the University of Tulsa. Though Tulsa had strong tennis credentials, Leather didn’t feel aligned with the team culture and environment.
After a challenging year, Leather decided to transfer. She visited her brother at Cal Poly and quickly fell in love with the campus, the team, and the entire coaching staff.
“It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Leather said.
Physical setbacks and mental growth
What should have been a fresh start quickly turned into another unexpected challenge.
Shortly after arriving at Cal Poly, Leather began experiencing knee problems, diagnosed as patellar tendinopathy, that eventually sidelined her for the entire 2023-24 season.
“It was obviously really hard,” Leather said. “Tennis was pretty much the only reason that I came out to America, now to not be able to play was a harsh reality.”
Head Coach Ellie Edles Williams, however, saw this as an opportunity for growth despite the disappointment. Having experienced injuries during her own playing career, Williams understood the potential for personal development during recovery.
“One of the silver linings of being injured is that you really appreciate the sport in a different way,” Williams said. “You learn who you are outside of the court as well. It’s so easy for us athletes to kind of just get wrapped up in our identity around sport.”
Leather was forced to adapt quickly. The coastal California location proved to be a blessing during this difficult period.
She embraced the chill California lifestyle, finding solace in activities that connected her with her new tennis family and the rich community of San Luis Obispo.
“I had to learn to find other things outside of tennis that I enjoy,” Leather said. ” I love going to the beach with my friends and just hanging out and getting coffee, the little things in life.”
The support system at Cal Poly proved crucial during this challenging period. Coach Williams made the decision to redshirt Leather, preserving her eligibility while allowing her to focus on recovery.
“Just showing me that she still believes in me and she wants me to get back to my full fitness,” Leather said. “I had that year to really just focus on myself and get back to my potential.”
The mental game
The road back to competition has been as much a mental challenge as a physical one. Leather admits the journey has been “very up and down,” filled with frustration, moments of doubt and gradually rebuilding confidence.
“When I first got back, I was just super happy to be back on the court,” Leather said. “And then there was a long period of time, to be honest, still kind of coming out of it, where I actually didn’t like being on the court, because my head affected my playing.”
The gap between her pre-injury level and her current capabilities created a mental barrier that proved difficult to overcome.
“I was just kind of looking at the past and thinking about where I could have been,” Leather said.
Coach Williams has worked closely with Leather to keep her focused on the present rather than getting caught in what-ifs and said Leather needed to reframe her expectations and approach.
“Amy’s personality, there’s a desire for perfection,” Williams said. “We’re playing in a sport that’s never perfect. That’s what makes her great because of her tenacity and her work ethic, but it can also drive you crazy.”
That mental shift has been crucial for Leather’s return to form. Rather than trying to recapture her previous level of play, she’s embraced the opportunity to evolve as a player and person.
Now Amy is back on the court, happy and healthy, ready to defend the Mustangs’ 2023-24 Big West Championship.
Leading on and off the court
On the court, Leather brings a powerful serve and aggressive forehand to the Mustangs’ lineup. Her game revolves around her serve, setting up opportunities to attack with her forehand or move to the net, a style perfectly suited for doubles play.
But Leather’s contributions extend far beyond her play. She has become a cornerstone of team morale and culture. Williams describes Leather as someone who helps steady the team during challenging moments, bringing a calm perspective that helps keep everyone grounded.
Her commitment to the program extends to academics as well, where she maintains exceptional standards, achieving a 4.0 GPA during the fall quarter.
“She’s an absolute machine in the classroom,” Williams said. “She was one of the few student-athletes who got a 4.0 last quarter. Extremely hard worker on court, committed to doing things the right way, not taking shortcuts, but also just such a genuinely nice and humble person.”
Perhaps most importantly, Leather has emerged as an ambassador for Cal Poly tennis in the community. She regularly engages with fans, boosters, and young players at matches, helping build support and interest in the program.
During matches, Leather can often be spotted in bubbly conversation with program supporters, families, and young fans, forming connections that strengthen the program’s community’s strong ties.
“I genuinely think that this feels like a second home to her,” Williams said. “It makes that a lot easier for her to be able to connect with people and connect with fans.”
A new perspective
Now playing No. 1 doubles with Peyton Dunkle, Leather has found her joy again on the court. The pair has established themselves as a formidable team, combining similar playing styles with natural chemistry.
“I love playing with Peyton,” Leather said. “I think we’re doing really well. Our games work pretty well together.”
Doubles play has provided the perfect re-entry point for Leather, with its fast pace and one-set format allowing her to compete without overextending her recovering knees.
Playing at home in front of her friends in people close to her in Cal Poly’s new tennis facility has been particularly meaningful for Leather after watching from the sidelines last season.
“Playing at home is something that I really, really missed,” Leather said. “Competing here, you want to try that much harder because of all the people that really care and are coming out to support us.”
With her positive attitude and resilient spirit, Leather embodies the kind of mental toughness that makes tennis such a demanding sport. Her advice to other athletes facing similar challenges reflects her growth through adversity.
“What will be, will be,” Leather said. “Lean into whatever your PT’s [physical therapists] are saying, whatever the training room is saying. Communicate a lot with your coaches and anyone who is your support system. Stay in the moment and never lose your spirit.”
Looking ahead, Leather has shifted her focus from specific outcomes to process improvement, a mindset change that she believes will ultimately benefit both her individual play and the team’s success.
Her journey from injury to competitive play represents not just a physical recovery but a transformation in how she approaches both tennis and life, finding balance, perspective, and joy in the process rather than fixating solely on results.
“I’ve realized that I just want to be thinking more big picture,” Leather said. “I want to be more open-minded, more process-oriented. Tennis is such a results-driven game, but I’ve started to love my growth and appreciate the struggle.
On March 25, on the road against the University of Hawaii Pacific, Leather made her singles debut for the Mustangs at line No. 6 and won 7-5, 6-2.
With her renewed mindset and undeniable talent, that new start looks promising for Leather and the entire Cal Poly tennis program.