Yelena Labat Elevated to Head Coach of Team Tampa
INTENNSE Tennis
3 MINS | Published on 07/09/25
INTENNSE™ Tennis Continues to Lead the Way in Pay Equity and Gender Balanced Hiring Practices
ATLANTA, GA – July 9, 2025 — INTENNSE™ Tennis is pleased to announce that Yelena Labat has been elevated from Assistant Coach to Head Coach of Team Tampa by Pascal Collard, who will be refocusing his efforts as CEO of Mouratoglou Tennis Academy.
“Yelena stepped in while I was in Europe and did a phenomenal job,” said Collard. “Young, vibrant, and full of the energy this league thrives on, she’s exactly what our players need. Most importantly, she’s committed, and ready to bring our Team Tampa to victory.”
Labat, a highly accomplished player and coach, achieved national recognition as a top U18 player in France before moving to the United States to compete at Columbus State University (NCAA® Division II). During her four-year collegiate career, her team consistently won the Southeast Regional Championships (2021-2024) and made it to the NCAA Nationals every year, reaching the semifinals twice. Labat was also recognized as an ITA® All-America doubles player. In addition to her role as Head Coach of Team Tampa, she channels her extensive experience and deep understanding of the sport into her role as a dedicated tennis coach at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy.
"This opportunity means a lot: INTENNSE is bringing a fresh and exciting energy to the tennis world," said Labat. "It’s the kind of tennis people will want to watch, and I’m proud to be part of it. I can’t wait to keep pushing the players and the program to the next level."
"I couldn't be more excited to hear about Yelena becoming the Head Coach of Team Tampa," said Director of Player Relations JY Aubone. "She's done an amazing job coaching the team, managing the new format, and creating a tight-knit group of players who compete hard for each other. She's been a leader from day one, and INTENNSE is lucky to have her guiding the first crop of INTENNSE players."
While tennis has historically offered fewer opportunities for female coaches, INTENNSE hopes to set a benchmark and encourage others to follow its path. The league is dedicated to gender balanced hiring and providing professional opportunities for players and coaches to continue playing the sport they love.
By championing women's advancement and cultivating an environment where everyone can flourish, INTENNSE is helping to drive what a modern sports league can be. Leadership in pay equity and hiring is part of the movement to shape the future of tennis that INTENNSE represents.
"At INTENNSE, we're building a league that aims to create equal opportunities for both men and women at every level of the sport,” said Barry Fulcher, Head of Competition. "This starts with our gender balanced teams and equal payment structure for our professional players, and extends to our coach recruitment strategy, organizational structure and junior development program. Our aim is to lead the way in this regard, and Yelena’s well deserved appointment is reflective of our broader objectives.”
What’s Next
Yelena will be behind the bench when Team Tampa takes on Team Atlanta at the INTENNSE Arena at 7 PM on Saturday, July 12.
This Weekend:
● Sat. 7/12 @ 2 PM: Team Jacksonville vs. Challenge Team
● Sat. 7/12 @ 7 PM: Team Atlanta vs. Team Tampa
● Sun. 7/13 @ 2 PM: Team Jacksonville vs. Team Tampa
The full schedule Is available here: INTENNSE Schedule
All league duals will be streamed live on Twitch and YouTube.
