University of Memphis alumna and tennis player Epiphany Turner was diagnosed with lupus when she was 23 years old, yet she continued to play tennis and attend classes despite struggling with the immune system disease that attacks the body.
“I was 2 years old when I first picked up a racquet,” Turner said. “I was 5 years old when I competed in my first tournament. I started so young because I was raised in a tennis family, so it was natural for me to get on court and start playing.”
Angela Haynes, Turner’s coach, said her energy was sporadic before the diagnosis.
“She was able to go really hard for a couple of weeks, work up her strength,” Haynes said. “You could see the progress, but out of nowhere she could barely run a lap.”
Haynes said Turner struggled with physical activity which would affect her ability to play tennis.
“It didn’t showcase all the time,” Haynes said. “It was in monthly intervals. It didn’t really stick out as much.”
Haynes said she and Turner’s mother took her to the doctor multiple times to find out what was wrong. Eventually, Turner was diagnosed with lupus in Janurary 2016.
“After the diagnosis, everything took a turn,” Haynes said. “Once she was completely diagnosed, it was really like starting over. I’m sure it just felt like a slap in the face to her.”
Turner continued to practice and go to school after her diagnosis. Haynes said Turner was able to overcome problems caused by her illness by being around those closest to her.
“It was really just a lot of family and friends being around,” Haynes said. “She loves tennis. She likes to compete. We just had a trip to the U.S. Open, and, you know, you see your peers out there, and it’s heartbreaking knowing you have to start all over and wonder where you could have been. She was definitely able to get through by staying close to family and friends.”
Haynes said Turner is confident and motivated to play tennis again.
Waletha Wasson, Turner’s mother and manager, said Turner refused to withdraw from school. She said Turner continued to take classes, work part time and play tennis. Turner was able to do all of this because of her spirit, Wasson said.
“You have got to have an internal passion, an internal competitive spirit, to want to fight to get to where you see your dream and your vision,” Wasson said. “That’s a behavior you can’t really teach.
Wasson said Turner would get tired during practice but would keep practicing through it anyway.
“There are times where I would have said, ‘I’m going to sit down,’ and she would have to sit down during this period, but she would get right back up,” Wasson said. “It was the most amazing thing. I never saw her cry or say ‘Why me?’”
U of M alumna Epiphany Turner gets set to return a ball. Turner was diagnosed with lupus and had to stall her dream of continuing to play professional tennis.
