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Published on:

29th Jul 2025

Competitive Edge: Developing Mental Toughness in Elite Tennis with Milena Volkova

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

Transcript
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About the Podcast

Charge Forward Coaching
What if the key to unlocking your athletic potential wasn’t just about improving your skills, but strengthening your mind? At Charge Forward Coaching, we believe that mental toughness is the secret weapon every elite athlete needs to excel. In this podcast, we explore how athletes can develop the focus, resilience, and mindset necessary to perform at their best, whether you're a high school athlete facing intense competition or a college athlete aiming for the next level.

We explore essential topics such as mental resilience, providing techniques for overcoming self-doubt and building mental endurance. We also tackle performance anxiety, offering strategies to manage stress and stay focused under pressure. Throughout the show, we focus on mindset mastery, sharing tools to stay motivated, handle setbacks, and maintain peak performance. James Blasco offers expert advice on cultivating a champion's mindset for long-term success, helping athletes gain the mental clarity needed to perform at their highest level.

With expert guidance from James Blasco, each episode empowers athletes with actionable strategies they can apply immediately, enabling them to sharpen their focus, handle adversity, and perform under pressure. James’s coaching approach fosters a supportive and empowering environment, where athletes are encouraged to push beyond their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and unlock their full potential. In the world of elite sports, success goes far beyond physical ability—it’s about mastering the mental challenges that arise during competition and ensuring they are prepared to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

In addition to James’s insights, each episode features interviews with top athletes, coaches, and mental performance experts. These guests share their own stories, experiences, and strategies for achieving success in highly competitive environments. Through these conversations, listeners will gain diverse perspectives on how mental toughness plays a pivotal role in their journeys to excellence. Whether it’s learning from a former professional athlete about overcoming personal obstacles, or hearing a coach’s tips for developing a high-performance team mindset, these interviews will offer valuable knowledge and inspiration for athletes of all levels.
Join us on this journey to improve your concentration, boost your confidence, and develop the mindset necessary to reach new heights in your athletic career. Start listening today and begin charging forward toward your goals with mental clarity and strength.

About the Host:
James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.
Having received coaching and mentoring throughout his personal and professional life, James recognizes the profound impact of genuine, constructive, and meaningful guidance. He understands the passion required to pursue a goal, as well as the challenges of doubt, fear, and the need for perseverance. James’s coaching philosophy is rooted in compassion and results, focusing on helping clients uncover their goals, develop actionable plans, and persist through obstacles.

Resources:
Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

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