Jorge Mir is the tennis sports director at the Real Club Tenis Jolaseta. You can read more columns written by Jorge at this link.
Tennis coaches:
I wish we could all train children in the same way in any corner of the world. Perhaps this way parents would understand that, above tournaments and medals, there is the joy of their children and the simple pleasure of playing.
I started when I was 14 and I was among the top 30 in Spain and 446 in the world. I competed with great players and lived intense moments. But, when I look back, what I really keep in my heart are not the results, but my free childhood: bicycle, excursions, summer movies, swimming pool, laughter… a happiness that had nothing to do with pressures or expectations.
Today, however, I see how we become obsessed with planning everything too soon. Training, tactics, tournaments… thinking about a future that children neither understand nor need. They just want to play, explore and be surprised.
And the reality is overwhelming: less than 0.01% reach professionalism, while millions give up due to pressure. That is why our job should not be to impose goals, but to sow well-being, curiosity and love for tennis… and for life. If someone then goes far, wonderful; but the important thing is that everyone remembers this stage fondly.
Between 6 and 14 years old, tennis should be a refuge of joy. At those ages, learning without fear and living with others is what really makes a difference.
And yet, there is something we must not forget: between 16 and 17 years old there is still enormous potential to exploit. It is a magical age, where maturity and energy meet. With good guidance, discipline and a motivating environment, great tennis players can still be trained. It’s not late. It never is when there is passion.
If all coaches understood it, we would change the development of sport: childhood would be for enjoying and adolescence would be for dreaming big.
Because enjoying yourself as children and making efforts as teenagers is not only compatible: it is the best path.
