Article April 29, 2026
Catching up with our alumni: Mert’s journey after King’s InterHigh
“Looking back, we feel deeply positive about his journey and the opportunities King’s InterHigh provided,” says the father of one of our star sports alumni, Mert Aytekin.
Mert began learning online with us in Year 10 as a way to balance his education with his goals as a young tennis player. After a thriving few years with us, he’s gone on to reach increasing heights in his career, with plans to compete in the highest division of collegiate tennis next year.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire King’s InterHigh community for making this possible,” his father tells us. We caught up with Mert himself to learn more about how online learning supported his tennis ambitions and what he’s been able to achieve since.
How did King’s InterHigh help you balance school with your tennis commitments?
The balanced and professionally designed schedule at King’s InterHigh played a huge role in helping me achieve my goals. I feel proud to be one of the alumni.
It is not easy to manage academic work, elite-level sport, and a social life in just 24 hours. What made King’s InterHigh so special was that the system worked around my training and tournament schedule, rather than the other way around. I was able to travel internationally for competitions while keeping up with my studies and still maintaining friendships and a sense of normal teenage life.
Do you have a favourite memory or highlight from your time at King’s InterHigh?
Many moments come to mind when I think about my time there, but the day I graduated stands out most. It felt like everything I had worked towards came together in that moment.
Seeing my journey come to an end and realising how much I had grown both academically and personally was very emotional. All the experiences, challenges, and achievements I had along the way replayed in my mind.
What skills or personal growth did you gain at King’s InterHigh that you might not have in a traditional school?
One of the most important skills I developed was communication. In today’s world, strong communication, both online and in person is essential, and studying in a virtual environment really pushed me to become confident in expressing myself.
I also became far more independent and self-disciplined. Managing my own schedule, staying organised while travelling, and taking responsibility for my learning helped prepare me for the expectations of university and professional sport.
"King’s InterHigh offers far more than flexible learning; it is a flawless platform for young people to thrive. The innovative system empowers students to pursue their passions while building a strong academic foundation, creating a truly remarkable experience."
How did studying with us help prepare you for your next steps after school?
My time at King’s InterHigh helped shape who I am today. Studying alongside students from different countries gave me a global outlook, while balancing lessons with tennis taught me resilience, organisation, and focus.
These experiences made the transition to university applications and high-performance sport feel much more manageable. I feel confident stepping into the next stage of my education knowing I have the academic foundation and life skills to succeed.
Once you left King’s InterHigh, what were your next steps, and where are you now?
I am currently applying to universities in the United States and will compete in NCAA Division 1 tennis (the highest level of collegiate sport) from next January.
King’s InterHigh prepared me well academically, so I feel confident about meeting the demands of higher education alongside competitive sport. The structure, independence, and time-management skills I developed there have been invaluable during this transition.
Looking back, was there a moment when you realised this way of learning was really working for you?
Because my schedule was always busy with training and tournaments, I needed a system that could fit into my life, not one that I had to reorganise everything around.
When I realised I could stay on track with my studies while competing internationally, without feeling constantly overwhelmed, that was the moment I knew this way of learning truly worked for me.
"We are especially grateful to the school leadership, and in particular Ms. Tahoora Khalil Urehman, for their unwavering support of Mert’s professional tennis career. Their encouragement allowed him to balance the demands of sport with academic excellence."
What advice would you give to others considering online education?
Online education can feel intimidating at first, especially if families are unfamiliar with it. But from my experience, it opens far more opportunities than people expect.
It allows students to pursue their passions while still receiving a strong education, and it teaches independence and responsibility along the way. Families should keep an open mind as it can be a life-changing decision.
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