Unlock the mental edge in tennis with insights from elite coach Milena Volkova. Learn how top tennis players develop unshakeable focus and resilience under pressure.
In this episode of Charge Forward Coaching, host James Blasco is joined by renowned tennis coach Milena Volkova to unpack the crucial role of mental toughness in tennis. From junior development to professional play, Milena shares insights on building resilience, managing emotions, and performing under pressure.
Drawing from her extensive background—including work with the Russian Davis Cup and Russian Federation Cup teams—Milena explores how mental toughness separates good players from great ones. She breaks down practical strategies for developing focus, routines, and emotional control on the court. Whether you're a coach, player, or tennis enthusiast, this conversation offers valuable lessons on harnessing the power of the mind in sports and beyond.
Key Timestamps:
- (00:00) Intro: Mental toughness in elite tennis
- (05:34) Developing players beyond their wins and losses
- (10:24) Importance of emotional control in tennis
- (14:17) Pre-match and post-match routines
- (19:46) Mentally tough professional players
- (22:57) Sports psychology: Russia vs United States
- (27:04) Coaching success stories and player development
- (29:38) Advice for young athletes starting out in their field
- (30:58) New Smyrna Beach Tennis Center overview
Key Takeaways:
- Reframing your wins and losses: Focus on accomplishing specific skills and goals during each match rather than fixating on the outcome. This shifts pressure away from winning and develops more purposeful players.
- Tap into your unique strengths: Identify and leverage your specific abilities that you can rely on under any circumstances to stay mentally tough during high-pressure moments.
- Develop match-specific routines: Create deliberate routines for serving, between points, and changeovers to maintain focus and reset mentally throughout a match.
Resources & Links:
Host Bio:
James Blasco is the founder of Charge Forward Coaching and a certified mental toughness and resilience coach and a certified neuroscience coach. He specializes in helping athletes and high performers sharpen their focus, build confidence, and stay composed under pressure. With clients ranging from youth athletes to seasoned pros, James is passionate about helping people show up strong—no matter the arena.
Milena Volkova: With over 35 years of international coaching experience, Milena Volkova is a powerhouse in player development, specializing in elevating intermediate and advanced athletes to their highest potential. A USPTA-certified coach and former top-10 Ukrainian junior standout, Milena’s journey from elite competition to elite instruction is marked by passion, precision, and proven results.
Her competitive resume includes representing both the Russian Davis Cup and Russian Federation Cup teams, where she honed the mindset and discipline that now define her coaching approach. Milena has trained numerous top-ranked high school varsity players, blending technical mastery with mental toughness.
Today, she leads the Raquet & Tennis Center in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, creating high-performance programs and mentoring players who aspire to rise through the ranks with grit and grace.
Tags:
Milena volkova, james blasco, tennis mental toughness, elite player development, competitive mindset, sports psychology, emotional control, pre-match routines, post-match analysis, performance anxiety management, goal setting in tennis, player-coach relationship, mental preparation techniques, focus and concentration, visualization in tennis, confidence building, resilience training, match strategy, tennis performance analysis, junior tennis development, professional tennis insights, sports coaching techniques, athlete mental health, tennis performance psychology, competitive tennis training
