A Message of Love: Nurturing Young Tennis Players

This is a message of love. I hope it comes across this way. Buddhists say that there are three poisons that produce suffering: greed, hatred, and ignorance. I have seen and experienced suffering in tennis more than once, in myself and also in the families that bring kids into this sport with very high expectations. However, I believe that with knowledge and wisdom we have a better chance to avoid unnecessary suffering.

The Essence of Autonomy and Responsibility

One of the fundamental attributes of performing at the highest level is the sense of autonomy and responsibility that a high performer acquires throughout their development. The journey to that level of maturity is long and requires an entire environment and a team of people to help a young athlete develop their best self and the necessary autonomy to be self-reliant. Development is not a linear logical process; it takes time, motivation, and effort to learn basic things such as practicing with the correct quality and intensity. Spending time on the court or having more private attention is not always the solution, since kids often are not prepared to absorb or implement the information they are receiving in a more complex setting.

The Ultimate Goal: Great Player or Great Human?

It all comes to what the ultimate goal is. Be a great player or be a great human that plays great tennis. As a coach, my goal is to help young players get inspired, so they learn to love what they do in order to develop their full potential as athletes and as human beings. It is about the journey inside.

The Importance of Passion

Quick results can be achieved with hard-imposed discipline. To develop a happy person who achieves greatness takes much more than that. It takes passion, and passion comes from the inside. The challenge is to find the spark inside to light up dreams. Dreams produce the energy to pursue big goals, and that is where the intensity comes from. If that energy comes from outside in the form of fear, the player never learns to ignite their own source.

Training for Intensity and Motivation

In training, the goal is to achieve good intensity and motivation. For how long? That will vary over weeks, stages, age, etc. The word “authority” comes from the Latin “augeo,” and one of its meanings is helping somebody to grow. To help a kid grow, two things are necessary: love and wisdom.

The Role of Environment and Genetics

Together with nature or genetics, nurture or environment have the power to both enhance or diminish the capacity to develop high performance. Success will be determined by how we create an internal and environmental climate that supports the interaction between the athlete, their natural skills, and the environment they are exposed to. One of the monumental tasks is our skills to align coaches, families, and the training environment towards a common goal.

Conclusion

The path to greatness in tennis, and life, is not a straight line. It requires a balance of autonomy, responsibility, passion, and the right support system. By fostering an environment of love and wisdom, we can help young athletes not only become great players but also great human beings who love what they do. The journey is internal and external, demanding dedication from both the athlete and their support network. With the right approach, we can minimize suffering and maximize potential, making the sport a source of joy and growth for everyone involved.

Evolve Your Game!