Mother Teresa once said, "I will never attend an anti-war rally; if you have a peace rally, invite me." This sentiment emphasizes the importance of focusing on positive principles rather than opposing negative ones. Applying this to tennis, especially junior tennis, we should prioritize cultivating virtues over merely avoiding poor behavior.
Deep in their hearts, most parents desire their children to develop virtues through tennis: discipline, emotional control, perseverance, and more. When competition becomes central, winning often overshadows these virtues. The critical question then arises: what are you willing to do to win a tennis match?
Junior tennis, while highly competitive, provides an excellent opportunity to instill good sportsmanship, honesty, and other positive habits. It is crucial to teach young players that cleverness should not involve dishonesty, such as making bad calls. Professional players, with their trained eyes, rarely make such mistakes, and they can easily detect dishonesty on the court. Thus, it's vital to develop a strong ethical foundation early.
As coaches and mentors, we bear the responsibility of guiding children towards acquiring virtues through tennis. In today's society, success and winning are often equated with happiness. However, research and philosophy tell us that true happiness, or eudaimonia, stems from the development of character and self. The ancient Greeks believed that achieving happiness required cultivating arete, meaning excellence and virtue.
Instead of focusing solely on winning, wouldn't it be more meaningful to aim for self-improvement and self-mastery, which includes honesty? This perspective not only aligns with achieving long-term success in tennis but also contributes to overall personal happiness and fulfillment. Something to consider deeply as we coach and guide the next generation.
