Congratulations go out to 2006 ICTA Tennis Academy alumni, Julia Vakulenko, for qualifying for the main draw in Wimbledon. In addition to this wonderful achievement, Julia is also enjoying the best year of her entire professional tennis career.Julia's story is one of inspiration and hope that God does not forget us!
From the depths of suicidal depression to the highs of having the best year of her tennis career, much has happend over the last 6 months in the life of this 22 year old rising tennis star!
I can remember just 5 months ago when Julia arrived from Barcelona to train with me in Florida. She had quit tennis due to years of abuse from men in her life, abandoned her faith in God, and had became suicidally depressed to the point of being bedridden. Julia felt she had no hope and lost her will to live. Each day was a struggle to not end her life.
Though Julia's life was in turmoil, God had a plan to provide for her. Fortunately, I had met her about 4 years ago, and we had established a solid friendship. But, Julia and I didn't stay in close contact. She had her tennis career and I was called to grow the ICTA.
As such, I had no idea of the abuse that had been heaped on Julia in her life and what the result of the abuse had done to her. If I had known what was going on in her life, we would have intervened sooner.
But, God had his plan for Julia. From the depths of her brush with suicide, God planted her in the soil of the International Christian Tennis Association where she began healing and found hope that God does love her and did not forget about her.
While she was here with me fulltime, I worked hard on Julia. God trusted me and I wasn't about to let him down. I take my job as a long term, fulltime high performance tennis coach very seriously. I work hard and I am focused.
Tennis-wise, I immediately changed Julia's tennis racket and strings. Less power, more control and feel. Worked great! Her old rackets wouldn't let her swing freely through the ball, so she had little spin and made way too many unforced errors. She also had an odd hitch in her forehand that her previous coach couldn't fix. I knew what to do... change the racket & strings. Her forehand started to sing!
Next, Julia needed quicker footwork. Everyone knew she was slow and didn't have stamina. She hated running, but with my daily inspiration/perspiration she soon came to love footwork drills such as soccer and skipping. Every day we worked on her movement! In fact, before practice started Julia would ride a mountain bike for 1.5 miles (3.5 kilo). Then, she would dribble a soccer ball for 1/4 mile. And finally she would dribble/pass the soccer ball a couple hundred times with a partner while moving backwards and sideways in circles!
Next up, she learned to hit angles to open up the court. Her game was wired to hit hard and flat down the line. No variety, just power. No wonder she needed 33 tournaments to reach 68 WTA! That is way too many tournaments! To help her win more I decided that during Julia's entire stay at my tennis academy, I would work every day on her ability to change the direction of the ball. I focused on her hitting lots of 2 on 1 drills teaching her patience while she became comfortable changing the direction of the ball from anywhere on the court. I could see her confidence grow. The results on the pro tour have been very solid.
To cut down on her many double faults, I taught Julia a topspin serve. She said the best coaches had tried to teach it to her, but she could never understand! I taught her in 30 minutes how to hit a topspin serve correctly. She understood everything and was really excited. She said I make complicated things sound easy.
While I am glad I taught Julia so much she had been missing, I feel the most important aspect oftennis coaching I provided this young gal is I helped her to loosen up and relax on court. She needed to have fun with tennis. Her previous coach understood strategies and tactics, but he has little idea how to develop a player. And for this Julia's career suffered terribly. She should have learned all of this when he met her 4 years ago! As she was improperly coached and developed, Julia had a hard time on the tour. Yes, she reached WTA #68. But, she was forced to go to 33 tournaments to get the points and hardly anyone can mentally or physically handle that. The coach became well know... and Julia suffered. Not anymore!!
Faster feet, stronger legs & stamina, more racket control and feel, ability to change the direction of the ball with confidence, tighter angles to pull opponents off the court, and a quality topspin serve to help cut down on double faults! Not bad, huh? The results of the "new" Julia tennis game have been fantastic. She is top 100 WTA in just 1/3 the tournaments it took her in the past to reach this level!
Off court, I gave Julia the book: Have You Felt Like Giving Up Lately by David Wilkerson. In fact, I asked her to read it the first day she arrived! Great book. Began changing her life immediately! I also had her read The Prayer of Jabez and the Secrets of the Grapevine by Bruce Wilkerson. Again, amazing impact on her life. Plus, Julia attended my church. First Baptist of Palm Coast has one of the finest preachers in the state. I am not Baptist, I am simply Christian. I attend this church when I am in town because an integrity filled man of God is not afraid to preach a strong message every Sunday. Julia LOVED my pastor's messages and said she had never heard anyone with such powerful thoughts. This church was good for Julia.
I also took her, along with my entire Christian tennis academy, to an amazing Christian concert event called Winter Jam. This event was huge... over 5000 youth packed into an enormous auditorium. The Christian bands were awesome... Toby Mac of DC Talk, Newsboys, Newsong, Zoegirl, Hawk Nelson, and Krystal Meyers. The keynote speaker of this fantastic event was David Nasser. Julia had never seen an event like this before and really appreciated every minute.
In addition, I took Julia with us to one of the most amazing Christian concerts I have ever seen... Chris Tomlin's Indescribable Tour. That event had a huge impact on Julia. I could see her stuggle spiritually during this event as she took a couple of naps and wanted to leave 1/2 through. But, the group wanted to stay for sure so Julia was able to gain the maximum benefits. Afterwards, she was really glad she stayed.
Back at the academy, we had daily Bible study or Discipleship Training. Julia contributed regularly. Julia would tell me almost everyday how happy she was! In Disciplship training, my students learn how to preach. During every class they learn public speaking & message formation skills. Julia is very unskilled at public speaking, so this was very good for her as well.
I saw Julia begin to heal. Yet, I also saw sides of Julia that are still in great pain and need professional help. So many people have used and abused Julia that she has an inability to trust men. At times, she would treat me poorly. But, I didn't hold it against her. Her actions were the result of the life she has had to lead and the abuse she had suffered at the hands of others. I would mainly be punished for what others did to her. Though I should also mention Julia would appologise whenever she realized she had treated me poorly. The important thing is Julia is still alive and on this earth!
She has her opportunity to reflect Christ in all that she does. Julia Vakulenko has her new start. What she will do with it we will all wait and see. I told Julia that I wanted 2006 to be her year to have FUN! Have fun playing tennis, have fun being alive! Have fun and enjoy the new life God has given to her.
I have recently written a more in-depth, detailed look inside Julia's story of pain and abuse. A link will be provided at a future time. Hopefully, those who abused Julia will be exposed and much healing will happen for all.
For now, congratulations Julia! I pray you and Marek are honoring God in all that you do as you both strive to reflect Christ to the world.
Blessings,
Scott Paschal
