SofiaShapatava

Sofia Shapatava

What continues to drive me in tennis is the fact that it is a sport where you never stop growing. Your goals may change, your priorities may shift, but there is always something new to learn and something to improve. Tennis is my life, and I know I will always play, in one way or another. As long as I step onto the court, I will keep challenging myself to become better. I also believe in leading by example. I want to stay fit, disciplined and committed to the same standards I encourage young players to follow. I believe that if I ask something of others, I should be willing to demand the same of myself. My goals and priorities may have changed over the years, but one thing never will: the tennis court is and always will be, my home.

Sofia Shapatava

Yes, I did. And unfortunately, I also faced a significant wave of negativity, first and foremost from my fellow athletes. I received far more criticism than support.

Nevertheless, I believe in speaking your mind and standing up for what you believe in, so I kept going. And at the end the players did receive some aid.

There are actually more improvements happening behind the scenes than people might realize. We have seen a slight increase in prize money distribution, and while it is still far from perfect, it is a step in the right direction.

Hospitality has also been introduced at certain ITF World Tennis Tour events at the $75K-$100K level and there are ongoing projects aimed at improving conditions for players. Unfortunately not as many as needed. It also is not purely dependent on ITF, all the organisations have to unite in order to make a change.

There also should be people who are willing to speak up.

I love this sport, and I hope to continue contributing to making it better for the next generation of players.

Sofia Shapatava

I learned a great deal through the meetings and discussions. I genuinely enjoyed working alongside other tennis players, hearing different perspectives, and exchanging ideas.

What made this experience particularly valuable was the opportunity to see the tennis tour from a completely different angle, not just through the eyes of a player. It gave me a broader understanding of how the system works, the challenges behind certain decisions, and the complexity of making changes. Some of my own perspectives shifted along the way. I was also disappointed in many topics, but regardless this was an amazing experience.

I believe the knowledge and experience I gained have been incredibly valuable and continue to help me in my work today, especially when it comes to guiding and supporting other players.

Sofia Shapatava

This is a difficult question. At the end of the day, building a strong talent development program requires substantial financial resources.

Many European tennis federations benefit from major sponsorship agreements with companies, which allow them to establish development teams, support promising young players, and provide the necessary resources for their growth.

Georgia is a relatively small country, and naturally, attracting that level of financial support is much more challenging. The opportunities and resources available are simply not the same as in larger countries with stronger financial backing.

I believe there is talent in Georgia, but talent alone is not enough. Without proper financial support, a structured development system and long-term investment, it becomes much harder for young players to reach their full potential.

Needless to say I disapprove of level of coaching and amount of coaches for our country. The quality is simply not there and it would take tremendous work to change that.

Sofia Shapatava

My own career is a perfect example of how you can build something out of almost nothing. I started traveling to tournaments with just $100 in my pocket and eventually, I made it to Grand Slams entirely through my own efforts.

But that journey came at a price. It took a toll on my mental health, my personal life and required enormous sacrifices. I had to figure out almost everything on my own, learning through trial and error, making mistakes, and spending far too much time and energy on things that could have been handled differently if I had proper guidance.

That experience is exactly what inspired me to create SoTi Management. My goal has always been to use the knowledge, experience and connections I have built over the years to make the journey easier for other players.

I want young athletes to have access to the guidance and support I didn't have, to avoid unnecessary mistakes, make smarter decisions and focus more of their energy on actually developing as players.

I know from personal experience that you can succeed with very little, but I also know how much easier that journey could be with the right people by your side.

Sofia Shapatava

Throughout my career, my understanding of success and my priorities have changed.

I have come to realize that success means something different to every individual. What I consider success may not be what someone else considers success, and that is perfectly fine.

At the end of the day, I believe the ultimate goal should be to feel content with yourself, to be healthy, happy, and at peace with the choices you have made.

Of course, goals, achievements, and ambitions are important, but they should not come at the expense of your well-being.

Rankings, titles, and achievements may define certain moments in your career, but they should never define your worth as a person. The rest is just numbers.

Sofia Shapatava

SoTi's strategy is simple, as simple as it can be. In fact, it is the same philosophy I try to follow in my own life: support as many people as possible, grow together and learn from one another.

We collaborate with different organizations, companies and individuals, but there is one standard I never compromise on: I have to genuinely believe in the project and the people behind it.

I will never promote, recommend, or sell something I don't personally believe in. For me, trust and authenticity are far more important than short-term financial opportunities, even if they are big.

My goal is to build meaningful partnerships where everyone benefits, develops and contributes something valuable.

I believe that if you focus on creating real value for others, success will follow naturally.

Sofia Shapatava

I have never been someone who likes making long-term plans and that hasn't changed.

What matters most to me, both personally and professionally, is staying true to my values, remaining honest and knowing that I have contributed to as many meaningful projects as possible.

I want SoTi Management to continue growing through genuine relationships, valuable collaborations and opportunities that make a real difference.

Most importantly, I hope to keep creating opportunities for young players who are looking for guidance, support and someone who believes in them.

I don't necessarily need to know where I will be in five or ten years. What matters to me is knowing that, along the way, I have made a positive difference in someone's journey, stayed true to myself, and never sold out my values for financial gain.