Nicole Jayne

Nicole Jayne
COACH

Why do you love coaching?

I love facilitating growth, not just in how a player hits a shot, but in how they think, move, and carry themselves on and off the court. Tennis is an incredible mirror of life: it reveals your mindset, your patience, and your resilience, while teaching transferrable life skills. It’s deeply satisfying to see players transform through this game.

Why do you love playing tennis?

Something lights up in me when I step onto the court, and it feels like I’ve come home. Tennis is equal parts physical fitness, mental strategy, heart, and social connection. What I love most is that the game meets you where you’re at, whether you're three or ninety-three, it has something to offer.

Your favourite tennis player and why?

Right now, Carlos Alcaraz. He plays with child-like joy and creativity, like he’s improvising his way through the game. He’s unafraid to take risks, always learning, and blends raw talent with intuition and mental resilience. That combined with his calm presence, makes him exciting to watch. 

Your favourite shot to coach and why?

The ready position, because tennis is, above all, a mental game. In that split second before your opponent’s serve, you have to clear your mind and decide how to respond; if not, you’ve likely already lost the point before it’s begun.

Your favourite shot to play and why?

The overhead smash; it’s deceptive, requires razor-sharp focus and perfect timing. In that brief moment before contact, the challenge is to stay present because if your mind races ahead to winning the point, you risk losing it. But when you connect with it cleanly, the adrenaline rush is unlike anything else on the court.