Hailey is admired for her integrity, and fun-loving personality, both on and off the court.
Recognizing her growing interest in the sport, Hailey’s parents enrolled her in training at the Junior Tennis Champions Center(JTCC), laying the foundation for her journey toward becoming a professional athlete.
Born on November 3, 2001, in Washington, D.C., Hailey began playing tennis at the age of 4.
Her early introduction to the sport, supported by her parents, Qasim Baptiste and Shari Dishman, allowed her to develop the skills and passion that later shaped her professional career.
She has achieved significant milestones in her career, including a best singles ranking of world No. 80 as of October 14, 2024.
Hailey’s Parents’ Support and Dedication are Evident During her Tournaments
Hailey’s mother, Shari Dishman, and her father, Quasim Baptiste, affectionately known as ‘Q,’ have played a supportive role in her career.
Their dedication is evident in instances such as hustling to airports to assist Hailey during her tournaments.
Hailey finds comfort and confidence while traveling with her parents, who have been her unwavering support system.
Shari revealed Hailey was initially enrolled in an after-school program at the William Fitzgerald Tennis Center in Washington, D.C.
However, when Hailey quickly displayed remarkable talent and a deep love for the game, Quasim suggested more formal training.
After an assessment, Hailey began in JTCC’s beginner program at age 7, a renowned facility for elite junior players.
Though Shari was initially apprehensive about the financial strain this prestigious program might impose on their modest-income family, Quasim was determined to find a way.
Within 18 months, her exceptional progress earned her a spot in their full-time program.
It required her to transition from regular schooling to JTCC’s more rigorous, college-like environment.
The adjustment was challenging for Hailey, both academically and socially, especially as most of her peers came from affluent backgrounds.
So, Shari even established a GoFundMe site to gather funds for her daughter and facilitate her future career.
In an interview with Adeptus On-Air, Shari discussed the process of Hailey becoming a professional tennis player.
She wrote,
Hailey is an amazing tennis player but more importantly, shes an amazing person. She shows poise & integrity on & off of the court and has the most fun-loving personality. She’s currently ranked top 3 in the US & is on her way in the interantional arena where she is now top 50! It’s so exciting to watch her on this journey, please help us in fulfilling her destiny. Go TEAM HAILEY!
As her Journey Advances, Her Parents Remains Committed to Helping Hailey’s Reach Her Goals
Hailey’s parents are determined to overcome any challenges that come their way.
The combined support from Hailey’s African-American parents has been pivotal in Hailey’s development and success as a professional tennis player.
Sherry has an advice for parents of all young athletes,
“Parents have all these hopes for their kids because this is what the parents want, not what the kids want, which makes it even worse. Unless the kid really wants it, it’s not going to happen. The biggest thing is just to be realistic.”
While specific details about their professional backgrounds are limited, it’s evident that both parents have dedicated significant time and effort to nurturing Hailey’s tennis aspirations.
Quasim serves as Hailey’s day-to-day manager, overseeing various aspects of her professional journey.
On the other hand, Shari has turned her attention to her aspirations, revealing her plans to write a book and develop a screenplay.
However, she said she will always remain a support system for her daughter even if Hailey is an adult now.
In case you did not know
Hailey has a close relationship with fellow tennis player Frances Tiafoe and his family.
She has won one doubles title on the WTA Tour with two doubles titles on the WTA Challenger Tour.
As of 2025, she has won $1,188,441 from tennis through earnings.
Rasu Rajbanshi, a BBA gradaute works as a freelance content writer and tries to bring ideas to life through words, by creating compelling narratives that resonate with readers.
