SHOOT FOR THE STARS, END UP ON THE MOON.
Meet Marina Roshe, founder of Courtgirl.
Before Courtgirl, Marina was a mom of two young children, running a branding & design firm from home while balancing the beautiful chaos of family life and building a business.
Then came a walk that would change everything.
"I had two kids in a stroller and was running a design firm from home. It was an exciting and loving time... but it was also exhausting and lonely. One day, while on a walk with my kids, I heard the sounds of women laughing in bursts of joy behind a tall, tree-lined fence. When I came around the corner, I saw that they were playing tennis. It was then that I knew it was something I needed in my life. The camaraderie, the movement, and the challenge of learning the game and getting better... it changed my life and eventually was the catalyst for launching an entirely new business that I love through and through."
Looking back, perhaps the most surprising part of the story is just how unexpected it all was.
"The strangest part of all is that I had never even thought about tennis before that fateful walk. I had hardly ever picked up a racquet. Yet somehow, when I had no expectations, I stumbled upon something that lit up a feeling inside me and changed everything."
What started as curiosity quickly became a passion. Marina discovered that tennis offered so much more than a sport. It was a community, a source of friendship, a reason to get out the door, and a place where women could challenge themselves, laugh together, and build meaningful connections.
DESIGNER AS CUSTOMER.
Marina isn't just the designer behind Courtgirl — she's also very much the customer. She knows the club aesthetic, understands the nuances of tennis culture, and lives the lifestyle firsthand. She's not simply inspired by the world she's designing for; she's right in the middle of it.
Today, Marina plays on her club tennis team as well as two USTA teams. She's also a member of her club's paddle team and dabbles in pickleball. From match days and team camaraderie to the social rituals, style, and little details that surround the game, she understands what today's modern club player wants because she lives it herself.
"Being part of a team is one of my favorite things about playing. It's about so much more than winning or losing. It's the friendships, the laughter, the encouragement, and having those few hours on the court to look forward to — a little piece of time carved out just for yourself. Time to move, challenge yourself, laugh, recharge, and tap into something magical that only tennis has to offer."
That firsthand perspective is woven into everything Courtgirl creates — products designed with an insider's understanding of the player, her lifestyle, and all the little details that make the experience special.
A BUSINESS BORN FROM A LOVE OF THE GAME.
Marina saw an opportunity to bring together two worlds she loved: tennis and design.
She imagined a tennis lifestyle brand that celebrated the modern woman who loves the game and everything that comes with it. A brand where fashion meets function, thoughtful design meets everyday practicality, and a little personality goes a long way.
Courtgirl was born from that vision.
But the road from beginner to brand founder had a few unexpected turns along the way.
"The funny thing is, I had no idea I was going to start a tennis business in the beginning. During those first few weeks on the club courts, playing friendly games, I was secretly wondering how long it would take before I could compete at the US Open!
It was a ridiculous notion, considering I was an out-of-shape 30-year-old picking up a racquet for the first time. But somehow, it was the only goal I could think of that would keep me moving forward as I discovered everything there was to know about tennis.
Once I realized I could put my design skills to work and create products for women who play, I set a more realistic goal — and that's when things really took off.
Interestingly, through Courtgirl, I eventually found myself right on the US Open courts, spending time with some of the tennis stars. So, in a way, my ridiculous dream came true, just not exactly as I'd imagined. Shoot for the stars and end up on the moon!"
Today, Courtgirl offers distinctive tennis bags, thoughtfully designed accessories, and gift-worthy finds that bring style, function, and a fresh perspective to life on and off the court.
For Marina, it's never been just about what you carry onto the court. It's about celebrating the friendships, confidence, connections, and joy that make the game so special.
DESIGN IS IN HER DNA.
Long before Courtgirl, Marina built a career around the power of great design and meaningful brand experiences.
An award-winning visual communications and branding specialist, Marina has more than 18 years of experience owning and leading her own creative firm. Throughout her career, she has partnered with an impressive roster of internationally recognized brands, including LACOSTE, DeBeers, Tory Burch, DaimlerBenz, Diageo, HARMAN Kardon, lululemon, the US Open, and Williams-Sonoma Mark & Graham.
Her background in branding, visual storytelling, and lifestyle marketing gives Courtgirl a distinctive point of view. Combined with her firsthand knowledge of the modern club player, it brings a unique perspective to the brand — one that blends thoughtful design with a genuine understanding of the woman who carries it.
COURTGIRL. BORN FROM OBSESSION, DESIGNED FOR PLAY.