🎾 In this episode of the Scorezle Podcast, we sit down with professional tennis player Sofia Shapatava, who shares her incredible journey from Georgia to the global tennis stage. From overcoming financial challenges to becoming a top player, Sofia offers unique insights into her career, along with practical tips for young athletes and their parents.

📢 Key Topics Covered:

• How Sofia started playing tennis at age 10 and became a professional despite starting "late."
• The importance of avoiding burnout in youth sports and recognizing its warning signs.
• Tips for parents to support their kids' sports journeys without adding undue pressure.
• Simple yet powerful tennis drills for players aged 10-14.
• Adapting to different tennis surfaces and environments for better performance.
• Sofia's inspiring advice: "Don’t take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from."

What You’ll Learn:

• Why starting late in sports doesn’t mean you can’t succeed.
• The critical balance between coaching, parenting, and athlete independence.
• How to spot burnout in young athletes and ways to address it effectively.
• Proven tennis drills and techniques to improve consistency and performance.
• Insights into the realities of pursuing tennis as a career, especially in resource-limited environments.

Special Guest:

Sofia Shapatava

• Professional tennis player from Georgia 🇬🇪
• Competed in top tournaments worldwide, including Grand Slams.
• Advocate for youth athletes and recruiter for collegiate tennis programs.

Featured Drill:

Consistency Drill (The "50s")

• Hit a single tennis ball back and forth at a medium pace, focusing on consistency.
• Start with a goal of 50 consecutive hits and work your way up!

Quote from Sofia:

"Only you know your limits. If you have it in your heart and in your brain as a dream, it’s because you are capable of achieving it."