SINGAPORE — When Singapore tennis player Stefanie Tan graduated with a master’s degree in finance back in May last year, she was confronted with one of the most difficult choices she had to make as she stood at the crossroads of her life.

After being offered a financially attractive job in the financial sector, the 23-year-old seriously contemplated ending her tennis career in order to climb the corporate ladder.

Tan’s passion for the sport eventually won out. Despite being fully aware of the many challenges a professional career in tennis would entail, she decided to stick it out and pursue her lifelong dream of competing in a Grand Slam one day.

“It was a very tough decision for me to decide whether or not to compete professionally,” Tan told TODAY. “I was on the verge of commencing my career in the finance sector, but eventually turned down the attractive job offer in order to play tennis.

“I knew there was so much more in the sport that I could achieve and hadn’t yet accomplished, such as playing in a Grand Slam. The journey since has been challenging, and I’ve had to put in a lot of hard work, sweat and tears to becoming a professional player.”

Having decided to put a lucrative career in the corporate sector on hold, it is ironic that one of the constant challenges Tan faces in her career as a professional player has to do with finances. “Tennis is an expensive sport, and I knew it wasn’t a financially wise decision to pursue it,” explained Tan. “It is extremely costly to compete on the pro circuit and sometimes our earnings from playing, or winning a tournament cannot even cover the cost of things like airfare, hotel and food.

“It can get difficult at times, and I have to thank my parents for supporting me financially.

“I am also lucky to have the support of Sport Singapore, as they allow me access to their facilities like the gym, as well as services such as the rehabilitation and sports massages.”

Tan took the first steps towards realising her Grand Slam dream last week as she clinched her first professional singles title in the International Tennis Federation professional circuit by winning the $10,000 (S$13,550) Baku Cup Futures 2 tournament in Azerbaijan.

She followed that triumph up with another title five days later, teaming up with Kazakhstan’s Kamila Kerimbayeva to win the Doubles title in the $10,000 Baku Cup Futures 3 event.

The victories — which saw her pocket a total of US$1,337 — ensured that Tan returned to the Women’s Tennis Association rankings once again for the first time in five years. She is now placed at world No 886.

Despite her recent achievements, Tan is not planning to rest on her laurels. “It was great to end the series of tournaments in Baku on a high note with the doubles title following the singles title,” said Tan.

“But I’m not entirely satisfied because I have aspects of my game I need to continue to improve on to compete at an even higher level.

“So it’s back to the drawing board again for me.”