Sep 4, 2024
The Hunger to Improve: The Key to Success in High-Performance Tennis
In the competitive world of tennis, many believe that natural talent is what sets the best players apart from the rest. However, while talent can open doors, it is not what keeps an athlete at the top. What truly distinguishes the greats is a less visible but infinitely more powerful quality: the hunger to improve.
Beyond the Ranking: The Growth Mindset
It is easy to admire players who occupy the top spots in the world ranking. However, what often goes unseen is the constant work and growth mindset that brought them there. In my experience as a coach, I have come to value more a player who, being ranked 70-80 in the world, has an insatiable thirst for improvement, than a top player who is content with staying put.
Why? Because that hunger to improve is what makes the difference between a player who can remain competitive in the long run and one who stagnates. The ambition to be better, to refine every aspect of the game, to never be satisfied with the status quo, is what drives great players to keep pushing themselves.
The Extra Edge That Makes a Difference
My job as a coach is not just to teach techniques or improve physical performance. It is to bring out that "extra edge" in each player, that additional element that is only achieved when there is a genuine passion for the game and a deep desire to be better each day. This extra edge is not something that can be taught in a traditional sense; it is something that is nurtured, encouraged, and developed.
Let’s take as an example two of Argentina's most prominent players: Juan Martín del Potro and Diego Schwartzman. Both have demonstrated throughout their careers a voracious hunger to constantly evolve. Del Potro, with his impressive power and skill, never stopped seeking ways to improve his game, even in the face of the toughest adversities. Schwartzman, known for his tenacity and determination, has made it clear in his daily routine that his goal is not just to maintain his level, but to keep climbing.
The Little Things That Matter
In tennis, as in life, it is the little things that make a difference. Attention to detail, dedication to honing every aspect of the game, and commitment to continuous improvement are the pillars of success in high-performance tennis. Without that desire to improve, a player not only stagnates but eventually loses their place.
That is why, at Sportslab, we work not only on improving the technical skills of our players but also on cultivating that passion for constant progress. The hunger to improve is what drives a player to train a little harder, to study their opponents in more detail, to find motivation in every challenge.
Cultivating the Winning Mentality
For those aspiring to reach the highest level in tennis, it is crucial to understand that the path to success does not end with achieving a good ranking. The true test lies in maintaining that position, and moreover, in continuing to improve. To achieve this, a winning mentality is needed, one that is based on continuous improvement and never settling for current achievements.
In our academy, we are dedicated to developing this mentality in each of our players. We help them understand that success is not a destination, but a journey that requires constant effort and an insatiable desire to be better, day by day.
Conclusion: Success Lies in the Will to Improve
Success in high-performance tennis is not measured solely by trophies or rankings, but by the willingness to constantly improve. Those players who have the hunger to evolve, who do not settle, and who see each day as an opportunity to be better, are the ones who truly stand out in this sport.
If you share this mentality and are willing to give your all to reach your maximum potential, we invite you to join us at Sportslab. Together, we can make that hunger to improve take you to new heights in your career.