Future Friday: Q&A with Rika Tatsuno
9/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Sept. 4, 2015
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Rika Tatsuno
Rika Tatsuno (2008-11) was part of a four-member class that took Michigan women's tennis to new heights. The group went 20-0 in Big Ten action during its last two seasons, helping U-M win two conference championships (2010, 2011). In Tatsuno's senior year (2010-11), the team set a then-program record for wins (24) and made its second straight NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. Tatsuno, a native of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and participated in the 2010 NCAA Doubles Tournament. Tatsuno earned All-Big Ten honors in 2009 and graduated with a 94-51 career singles record. In doubles action, she is one of five Wolverines in school history to have at least 100 career wins (100-44). She graduated from U-M with a degree in psychology and economics.
Since graduating, Tatsuno has become a model working in Japan. As Japan readies to host the 2020 Olympics, Tatsuno has her sights on working in the television or radio industry for that worldwide event. In this week's Future Friday, she discusses her time as a model, the next steps in her career and how she wants to start a charity program to teach the importance of sport to children.
Q. You have spent the last few years as a model in Japan. How did that come about?
A. I have always been interested in Japanese fashion. When this opportunity came along, I decided to give it a try. I love it in Japan!
Q. What is a typical day like for you?
A. My day varies from day to day. Some days I will be shooting for magazines, starting at 4 a.m. Other days, I will be working and doing interviews for a Japanese radio station. During Tokyo Fashion Week, I will be doing runways and after, I will be meeting and working directly with the top designers from all over the world. Some new projects I've been working on are sports-related jobs in television and starting my own charity. I am hoping to run the Tokyo Marathon next year to promote the importance of sports and to give back to children in need all over the world by sending athletics wear and goods. This project is not 100 percent confirmed yet and I am still in a huge process of trying to make it happen.
Q. Where are some of your favorite places to go with your job?
A. I absolutely love London and Milan.
Q. How is it being away from your family and parents in California?
A. My family is still in Los Angeles, but they come visit me every once in a while. I have grandparents, uncles and aunts and many cousins here in Japan. Having that type of support system here has helped me make the transition here. My cousin, Yoshinori Muto, is actually a famous professional Japanese soccer player here, who just got offered a huge contract to play for Mainz in Germany! (Editor's note: Muto is on a contract through 2019 with FSV Mainz 05).
Q. What has been your favorite part about your job?
A. My favorite part of working in the fashion/entertainment industry is getting to work one-on-one with some of the industry's top influential people. They give you great advice and a completely different perspective on work and life. I have worked with Roberto Cavalli, Miranda Kerr, to name a few!
Q. Do you have some next steps in mind as it pertains to your career?
A. I would like to do some kind of work where I can use my communication skills. I would love to do something in television or radio. Also, Japan has a huge demand in the sports-related field right now since the Olympics will take place in Tokyo in 2020. So my goal is to do lots of sports-related work leading up to that. I really want to develop a charity to help promote the importance sports and fitness in Japan as well.
Q. How did your time at Michigan prepare you for the real world?
A. All of my experiences and knowledge I've gained, such as time management, communication skills and my great education in economics and psychology, has helped gain my confidence and prepared me for the real world. I learned so much while at Michigan.
Q. Do you still play tennis at all?
A. I do whenever I have the time! It is hard though because reserving a court in Tokyo is quite expensive, starting at $100 an hour. I have been doing lots of sports-related interviews and jobs where I get to play tennis, which is always fun.
Q. Why did you choose Michigan?
A. I chose Michigan because of its great combination of education and athletics. Professors and coaches know the importance of both and help all of the student-athletes to perform their best on the court and in the classrooms. It was important for me to get both and there is no better place for that than Michigan.
Q. What was your time like at Michigan as a student-athlete?
A. Being a student-athlete at one of the top universities was both very difficult and fun at the same time. Having to juggle both school and tennis was extremely tough. But my friends, teammates, coaches and professors made sure that the time I spent at Michigan was memorable and an experience I will cherish forever. I wouldn't have traded it for anything.
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