Shu-Hwei or ‘S’ as her students like to call her,is originally from the Dominican Republic but now lives in Melbourne.
When she’s not on court, her happy place is the ocean – surfing is therapy ! She’s also represented Australia in Ultimate Frisbee (Flying Disc) for over 8 years – so basically, if it involves sports and nature, She is all in!
Coaching Journey & Experience
Tennis kind of chose her, she says. She started competing at a later age and was lucky enough to represent her country at the 2003 Fed Cup in Brazil — that moment sparked a lifetime of tennis adventures through South & Central America, the U.S., and Australia.
Outside of tennis, She-Hwei holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Marketing & Management. In the tennis world, she’s a Level 1 Certified Coach with Tennis Australia, and has coached everything from Cardio Tennis and Hot Shots to private sessions and tournament events.
She started coaching in Boston during my college years, which led to working with elite coaches at Harvard University. Since then, ‘S’ has coached across the U.S., Australia, and Vietnam, working with players of all levels — from beginners to high-performance juniors, and the expat/diplomatic community.
As a player, she earned a full Division I scholarship at Alcorn State University (Go Braves!), competed in WTA events back home in the D.R., and played a ton of AMTs in Australia
Coaching Philosophy & Style
Her approach is a mix of technical precision, high energy, and ridiculous amounts of fun. She’s big on building mental strength just as much as physical skill, and always reminds her students: enjoy the journey more than the result.
She loves to empower her students — challenging them while keeping the learning process fun and rewarding. Whether you’re five years old or fifty, if you’re hitting forehands with a smile and walking off the court taller than when you arrived, then we’re doing it right.
A few fun facts? She’s usually either discovering hidden cafés, dancing to Latin music, or planning trips she may or may not take. Shu-Hwei also once played Fed Cup for the Dominican Republic and ended up coaching at Harvard, Melbourne Park, and even in the middle of a rice field in Vietnam — all thanks to a yellow fuzzy ball. ????
Favourite Tennis Inspiration
She’s been lucky to share the court — and life — with some incredible people, but two friends stand out as massive inspirations.
The first is Pablo Cuevas, with whom she grew up playing on the junior circuit. His elegant playing style and fierce court presence made a lasting impact on Shu-Hwei. Today, he mentors top players on tour while staying deeply rooted in family, surfing, and a love for the game. He’s living proof that balance is not only possible — it’s powerful.
The second is her fellow Dominican and national legend, Víctor Estrella Burgos. From working as a ball boy at a local club to becoming the highest-ranked tennis player in Dominican history (ATP #43), Víctor defied all odds. At 35, he became the oldest first-time ATP Tour title winner in the Open Era. But more than the records, it’s his humility, resilience, and heart that inspire me.
These two remind her that tennis isn’t just about trophies — it’s about courage, passion, and character. That’s what she tries to pass on every time she steps on court.