Valentina Ivanov Talks About Being Coached by Her Parents
Tennis – 17-year-old makes her debut at the qualifying draw in the ASB Classic in Auckland on Saturday after winning the National Championships. In an interview with the New Zealand Herald, Ivanov says she was initially being coached by her parents – father Sergey was a former Fed Cup captain and mother Oksana a member of the Fed Cup team.
It was hard sometimes – I dont think anyone who has had their parents as a coach will say it is easy. When you have a coach, you go back home and you have your parents to comfort you, especially if youve had a hard day or bad training.
It was tough. You get a bit less sympathy, its a lot tougher mentally. Youve had a fight on the court with your coach, and then you come back home and its your Mum and Dad and it continues at home. Its a bit harsher.
The Aussie or Kiwi way is a bit more laid-back; in Russia, its not like that. If you are not having a good day, you are getting yelled at. But I was grateful to have them as I was growing up. It is a hard sport and you wont make it unless you have a personality.
Its tough out there. Once you are on the court, its just you, and it can become overwhelming at the moment. So having the right kind of upbringing, stricter parents, discipline … that can help a lot. Ivanov plays Kiwi No.
1 Paige Hourigan in the first round, the same player she beat in the finals of the National Championships two weeks ago to earn her spot in the qualifying draw.
