‘If I can, you can’: From foster care to world courts, Jessica Gonzalez’s journey to the top of blind tennis

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — At 43, Jessica Gonzalez is living proof that obstacles can become stepping stones to greatness. Born four months premature in Los Angeles, complications from her early birth left her blind. 

Still, where some might see limits, Gonzalez sees opportunity, and she’s taken that vision all the way to international tennis courts. 

“I’ve been blind my whole life,” Gonzalez said. “My life was saved, but my vision was lost. But it’s OK because that just makes me a stronger person today.” 

Her journey has been anything but easy. After her father was deported to Cuba and her mother struggled to raise four children alone, Gonzalez spent much of her childhood in foster care. 

“I bounced from foster home to foster home until I was 12,” Gonzalez said. “I felt like I wasn’t loved, I wasn’t wanted… just a paycheck for someone else. That was really hard.” 

Despite the instability, Gonzalez’s determination never wavered. Once she reached adulthood, she took control of her life with the help of her partner and close friends. 

She connected with California’s Department of Rehabilitation and the Orientation Center for the Blind in Albany, where she learned Braille, life skills and independent living techniques. 

“I got my first guide dog and that really opened doors for me,” Gonzalez said. “It made me fearless and gave me the confidence to live my life fully. I could travel, navigate the city and finally feel independent.” 

Today, she has two guide dogs, one retired and one active, who accompany her everywhere. 

Tennis became the passion that would redefine her life. Gonzalez began at the Gold River Sports Club in Sacramento, attending a six-week ‘Come Try Me’ event for blind athletes. 

While the sessions were brief, they ignited her competitive fire. Coach Samir Mahir recognized her potential and encouraged her to aim higher. 

By 2024, Gonzalez earned a wild card to compete in the International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA) World Championships in Italy, making her the first U.S. woman to do so. 

“The first international tournament was surreal,” Gonzalez said. “I ranked number 12 in the world after Italy and then I came back from France with a bronze cup in the women’s B2 category. I was on cloud nine.” 

The B2 category is fiercely competitive, with players at varying levels of peripheral vision. Gonzalez relies primarily on auditory cues, using her ears to track the ball’s bounce while integrating her remaining vision. 

“I have to really hone my skills,” Gonzalez says. “I use my ears 90% of the time and my eyes 10%. Every match teaches me something new and playing internationally challenges me in ways I can’t replicate at home.” 

Even at 43, Gonzalez shows no sign of slowing down when it comes to tennis and playing the sport she loves. 

“Most people my age are thinking about retirement, but I’m just getting started,” Gonzalez says. “I want to be the best version of me. Tennis has taken me all around the world and I want to keep improving.”

Her achievements are only possible because of the community that supports her. Volunteers, her coach, the Gold River Sports Club and the International Blind Tennis Association have been instrumental. 

“I could not have done it without them,” Gonzalez said. “Winning that bronze trophy was possibly because of everyone who helped me along the way.” 

From fetching lost balls during practice to funding international trips via GoFundMe, their contributions have been invaluable. 

Gonzalez also emphasizes her message for others who may be facing either the same or a different disability. 

“Don’t give up, try something new and don’t be afraid. Use what you have to make the best of what you can. If I can, you can,” Gonzalez said. 

When asked to describe her journey in one word, Gonzalez didn’t hesitate: “Fierce,” and indeed, she is a fierce athlete, a survivor and an inspiration. 

With a racket in hand, a guide dog by her side and an unyielding spirit, Jessica Gonzalez is proving that vision isn’t about sight but about heart.