Zoleta loves being called ‘Coach Bambi’

If ever there’s a need, Bambi Zoleta is very much willing to lend a hand to national junior tennis players again.

Zoleta said she is truly thankful for the opportunity given to her by the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) when she was tasked to coach the young Filipino netters in the Billie Jean King Cup Juniors Asia Oceania Pre-Qualifying event in Colombia.

Together with her older sister Bien, the 33-year-old former national tennis player appeared on the latest episode of “Off the Court” with renewed optimism after trying out other sports like pickleball and padel.

“As for coaching, I’m thankful for PHILTA because every time they need a coach, I’m the first one they call for the juniors team,” Zoleta told hosts Mark Escarlote and Jason Mago during the weekly sports show of DAILY TRIBUNE last Thursday.

“I think after the pandemic when tennis returned to the international scene, they insisted that the coach of the girls’ junior tennis team should also be a woman.”

Zoleta always balances her coaching style to make sure her athletes will be able to reach their full potential.

She said her approach is based on her experience with national soft tennis coach Michael Enriquez during her previous international stints.

“I’m more like an older sister to them because, I think for kids, especially in this generation, if you scold them, they’ll cry,” Zoleta said.

“I need to be more patient and I can’t be angry at them all the time. For example, if there are games that have gone bad, you need to be there for them.”

“I would always tell them stories about my experience as a player. For me, I based my approach to Coach Mike (Enriquez) since he wouldn’t get angry at us for the most part.”