SOPHYA DEVAS SHOWS ELENA BALTACHA FIGHTING SPIRIT

News and Stories by Nino Severino

In April 2023, I was contacted by Tanya Devas, asking if I could help her daughter, Sophya Devas, return to tennis after a serious injury and a very challenging period. Tanya and I go way back; I first met her when Sophya was just nine years old, shortly after I lost Elena to cancer. At the time, they were training at a London-based tennis academy, and the head coach asked me to deliver some on-court sessions. From the very first moment I coached Sophya, it was clear she had the talent and determination to become an exceptional player. I continued coaching her at the academy for a while, and later Sophya began travelling to Ipswich to train with me. Even at the young age of ten, Sophya showed remarkable potential, which she went on to realise with an incredible junior career through the LTA, representing Great Britain and establishing herself as a genuine prospect at the senior level.

Tanya and Sophya then embarked on an incredible tennis journey, competing at the highest levels of international junior tennis and progressing through the global pathway toward excellence. Sophya earned a place at one of the LTA High Performance Centres, demonstrating immense dedication and commitment to the demands of elite tennis. However, she faced a major setback when she suffered a serious back injury, which significantly slowed her development and disrupted the upward momentum of her promising career.

In 2023, Sophya, with Tanya’s support, decided to give tennis another serious attempt and reached out to me personally for guidance. We arranged to meet at Wimbledon during the Championships and had a lengthy discussion about how I could best support her. After exploring all the options, I told them that, in honour of Elena and her legacy, I would personally dedicate my time to help Sophya in her journey to return to the sport. 

Tanya is an extraordinary tennis parent who has supported her daughter from the very first day she picked up a racket. A parent’s encouragement and dedication are absolutely vital, without it, pursuing the demanding path to becoming a professional tennis player would be nearly impossible. Tanya’s support was essential for Sophya’s player journey from junior to senior tennis; it provided the foundation for success both on and off the court. Tanya offered encouragement, stability, and guidance, helping Sophya navigate the pressures of training, competition, and personal development. Tanya’s belief in Sophya built confidence and resilience, motivating her to overcome setbacks and embrace challenges. Beyond practical support, like travel, coaching, and scheduling, Tanya provided emotional strength, fostering a positive mindset and love for the game. This unwavering support from Tanya for her daughter helped Sophya reach her full tennis and personal potential. 

It was the resilience of the partnership that enabled their journey together to continue. We arranged accommodation for Sophya in Ipswich. I offered all my time in honour of Elena and her legacy, free of charge. I ensured that Sophya was safe at all times and developed a team around her that could support her on the journey back to high-level tennis. I began to attend tournaments with Sophya in England and internationally. Sophya developed incredibly well and showed the fighting spirit that is needed to make a comeback after a serious injury.

Ensuring the highest level of medical support for Sophya was essential, and James Reynolds fulfilled this role perfectly, providing physiotherapy whenever it was needed. Physiotherapy support is vital for tennis players because the sport places significant physical demands on the body, including repetitive motions, rapid changes of direction, and high-impact movements. Regular physiotherapy helped Sophya prevent injuries, manage existing conditions, and maintain peak physical performance. It supports proper biomechanics, strengthens vulnerable areas, and improves flexibility and recovery times. For Sophya recovering from injury, physiotherapy ensured safe, structured rehabilitation, reducing the risk of recurrence. Beyond injury management, it enhances overall conditioning, endurance, and movement efficiency, enabling Sophya to train harder, compete longer, and perform consistently while protecting her long-term health and athletic longevity.

Sophya proved to be an exceptional player to work with. She was inspired by hearing about Elena and her journey, which motivated her to honour Elena’s legacy and make the most of this second chance. While in Ipswich, Sophya joined the ‘Giving Back’ programme, dedicating many hours on court with younger players progressing through the foundation. She was compassionate, caring, supportive, and deeply committed. Having experienced the junior pathway herself, Sophya could relate to the children, offering guidance, encouragement, and insight. Her time with them was invaluable, providing mentorship grounded in experience and genuine understanding.

Sophya embodied Elena’s legacy brilliantly, attending media events and representing the foundation with distinction. Intelligent and highly articulate, she used these qualities to present herself and the foundation in an outstanding and inspiring manner. Handling media events at this level was crucial for Sophya, as it allowed her to develop confidence, communication skills, and professionalism, qualities essential both on and off the court. Representing herself and the foundation helped her understand the responsibility and impact of being a role model. It also strengthened her ability to inspire others, promote the foundation’s values, and build a public presence that complements her athletic journey.

After a very successful period with us in Ipswich, Sophya decided to take the route through American College. After a long period of exploration, she decided to commit to Purdue College. The Purdue University tennis programme in the United States is a competitive NCAA Division I programme that combines high-level athletics with strong academic support, providing student-athletes with a well-rounded collegiate experience. The programme emphasises skill development, strategic understanding, and physical conditioning, ensuring players are prepared to compete at the highest levels. Athletes benefit from experienced coaching staff who provide individualised guidance, helping them refine technical abilities and match-play strategies.

Beyond tennis, Purdue places a strong focus on academics, offering structured study support, tutoring, and mentorship to help student-athletes balance rigorous training with demanding coursework. The programme also fosters leadership, teamwork, and personal growth, encouraging players to contribute to their communities and develop valuable life skills. Competing in the Big Ten Conference, Purdue’s tennis teams face top-tier opponents, promoting resilience, adaptability, and a competitive spirit. The programme cultivates both athletic excellence and personal development, preparing players for success on and off the court.

It was a pleasure to welcome Sophya back to Ipswich as one of the foundation members receiving an award. Ipswich Town Football Club generously provided the venue at no charge for our awards ceremony, giving the players a meaningful connection to sport. The occasion held extra significance due to the strong link between the Baltacha name and the club. Elena’s father, Sergio Baltacha, was the first Russian player to compete in the English football league, and his achievements are still celebrated along the stadium’s private box corridors. Sophya was presented with the Serena and Venus Trophy, recognising her remarkable success throughout her tennis comeback.

During the summer, Tanya reached out and invited me to Sophya’s leaving event, which I accepted with great pleasure. I had expected a large gathering, but the family chose to keep it very intimate. Only two coaches from her tennis journey over the years were invited, and it was a true privilege to be one of them. The lunch was deeply emotional, filled with stories and cherished memories. It was inspiring to see Sophya achieving so much, earning a place at the prestigious Purdue University to study aerospace engineering, a testament to her exceptional intelligence. Sophya took a moment to thank me and the other coach for our support throughout her journey. She spoke with elegance, composure, and heartfelt emotion. Her words were incredibly meaningful, and I couldn’t help but reflect on Elena, whose legacy inspired me to support Sophya and her family along the way.

The trustees, parents, players, coaches, and I will continue to follow Sophya as she embarks on the next chapter of her tennis journey. We are incredibly proud of all she has achieved and delighted that the foundation could play a meaningful role in her story.