By Isabel Nikolaeva….
Stepping into the coaching world as a young woman has been a journey filled with challenges, growth and rewarding experiences. For me, coaching isn’t just a profession – it’s a calling to guide, inspire, and help players achieve their fullest potential. My path has been shaped by my experiences as a player and the incredible mentors and athletes I’ve had the privilege to work with.
My journey began in Bulgaria, where I had the honor of representing my country on the Bulgarian National Junior Team. I won multiple national junior championships. My proudest achievement as a junior was reaching a Tennis Europe Junior Ranking of 95. I then transitioned to American collegiate tennis competing at the Division 1 Level in the MEAC.
Collegiate tennis led me directly into a coaching career. The experiences of college tennis taught me the physical, mental and strategic demands of the game that I can now share with others. One of my proudest moments was when the University of West Georgia achieved the most wins in its history since 2010….and I was a part of it! Iuliia Dmitrieva, the No. 1 on the team, set a program record for most singles wins in a season as well!
For me, tennis has always been more than a sport – it’s a way to teach and learn discipline, foster resilience, and create meaningful relationships. As I continue my coaching journey, I hope to inspire other young women to pursue coaching as a career, bringing their fresh perspectives to the world of tennis.
Izabel currently coaches at Laurel Park Tennis Center in Marietta.
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