Her Feel-Good Formula: Helen Asciak
Tennis champion Helen Asciak has a very practical view of life. She likes to keep things simple and uncomplicated. Helen, who remains Malta’s youngest female tennis champion, is the first woman to share Her Feel-Good Formula with us. A woman of a few words, when it comes to juggling work and personal life, the ball is always in her court.
BODY - Physical health & image
As a former athlete I am very aware about how important our body is. I started playing tennis when I was nine and, since I have been involved in sports all my life, this has shaped the way I perceive my body. During my teens I did not have body-image issues like many teens had, because my body was my tool and I respected it as such.
I continue to do so today, now that I am in my 60s. I try to eat healthy and eat a lot of fruit and veg but I also do enjoy my pasta and chocolate in moderation.
I no longer play tennis. I had to stop about five years ago due to neck problems. But I try to keep active by walking and swimming which are also my ways of relaxing my body and mind.
When it comes to upkeep, I try and look after myself as best as I can. I don’t wear a lot of makeup, also because I have sensitive eyes and eye makeup is actually painful for me to wear. But when I have a special occasion, for example, I like to get a professional look to feel my best. I do apply moisturizing creams and sun block regularly and I like to get my hair blow dried twice a week.
As for clothes, my wardrobe is mostly casual as I spend most of my days in track suits and leggings. But when I go out with friends, I like to wear casual jeans and sometimes dresses.
MIND - Work & mental health
My work is an important part of my life. I am lucky because I merged my passions with my work. I spend my days, from Mondays to Sundays, managing the Asciak Tennis Academy which I run with my husband, Gordon, and one of our two sons, Matthew.
I find it very rewarding especially when I see the results – we have over 400 tennis students.
While my day can be busy, it also means that I get to spend time with my family even while at work. And, because I get to socialise so much at work, I often look forward to quiet weekends but I also love to meet up with my girl friends and sisters and find this to be a great way to unwind and talk about things on my mind.
I also relax by swimming and reading and I love to follow all sports on TV.
HEART - Relationships & connections
When it comes to spending time with the people I love, I’m lucky since I work with my family so I don’t feel the lack of time with them which many people feel.
My husband Gordon Asciak, who I married in 1985, set up the Asciak Tennis Academy together with me. Our sons – Matthew and Gordon Jr – always remember being part of it.
Matthew, who won the Malta Tennis Championships for 17 consecutive years, won a gold medal in doubles with Mattija Pecotic at the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) 2023 at the Marsa Sports Club. This was very special, because 30 years ago Gordon and I both won a gold medal on the same court, in the GSSE Games Malta 1993.
So, to me, the Asciak Tennis Academy is not a job - it is my home and my family as I love tennis and enjoy being at the Marsa Sports Club.
Helen Asciak
In a career spanning almost 30 years, Helen – who was Degiorgio pre marriage - won the Malta women’s singles at the Malta Open Championships 11 times, the first time in 1976 when she was 13 years old.
She played Junior Wimbledon in 1979, 1980 and 1981. She also represented Malta at several international events, including the Federation Cup, the European Championship and the Games for European Small Nations.
Her biggest achievement was the gold medal won with Carol Curmi in Monaco in the 1987 Games of the Small States of Europe in the women’s doubles event. It was also Malta’s first gold medal in these Games. She was named Sportswoman of the Year in 1977 when she was just 14 years old and was runner-up on several occasions.
In 1993 she was awarded Gieh ir-Repubblika. She was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2011 and represented Malta in the Federation Cup and Mediterranean Games.
What is ‘Her Feel-Good Formula’?
Think of life as having three pillars of happiness: body, mind and heart. Body is about physical wellbeing that includes health and beauty-related routines. Mind is about work and maintaining mental wellbeing. Heart is about our emotional connections with family and friends.
Because every person is different, there is no one magic feel-good formula. But, by sharing our formulas, we can help and inspire others.