Alberto Cei

In these days of chaos for the Italian national football team, the main commentators have blamed the defeat against Norway, in the World Cup qualifying match, on the poor technical level of the players, while the coach Luciano Spalletti himself expressed regret at not having been able to do his job to the best of his ability.

I do not want to question these explanations, nor those that blame the FIGC and its president.

What I would like to know, instead, is what was done beforehand to build a united team, aware of the difficulties and the tasks that awaited them.

We all know—or at least we all should know—that if a team lacks great individual talent and a well-oiled playing style, it should not give up, but rather be ready to fight for every inch of the pitch, with players ready to step in when a teammate is about to face trouble. In essence, regardless of everything else, never give up an inch. Be tenacious, which means continuing to do what you’ve been doing, even after you’ve done it.

With this in mind, I wonder how the days leading up to the match were spent, how these issues were addressed in training and technical meetings—or whether, as I have often seen happen, only technical-tactical matters were discussed, detached from the human factor. It’s too easy to claim that the available players were just not good enough—what does that even help?

It’s easy to say they didn’t show pride in wearing the Azzurri shirt—but how were they supposed to develop that pride, when they don’t even play for Italian clubs because they’re overlooked in favor of any foreign player, and have grown up under agents more focused on inflating their fees than anything else? Of course, everyone should develop a sense of belonging—which, after all, is one of our fundamental human needs—but who was supposed to teach them that?

Unfortunately, these themes are of no interest—so let them go on finding a new scapegoat each time.

There is much talk about tennis, but too often, beyond general psychological explanations, there is little illustration of what seem to be the sport’s key characteristics.

Sport of Opposition

Tennis is an individual opposition sport, where the goal is to dominate the opponent through your own game. It’s not just about hitting correct or winning shots, but about imposing a strategy, reading the opponent’s, and constantly adapting to what happens on court. The match unfolds as a continuous mental duel, where every point is a psychological battle.

Undefined Duration and Mental Endurance

One of tennis’s most distinctive traits is its unpredictable match duration. Unlike other timed sports, a match can last from under an hour to over five hours, depending on the score and balance of play. This demands long-term management of physical and especially mental fatigue. The player must pace their energy, maintain focus, and stay mentally sharp even after hours of intense play.

Error Management

Tennis involves a high number of errors, even at the professional level. Unforced errors, double faults, backhands into the net—they’re all part of the game. The ability to accept mistakes without emotional collapse, and instead react constructively, is a core mental skill. The best players are not those who avoid errors, but those who recover quickly and keep playing with clarity.

Between-Point Routines and Self-Reflection

The game is marked by frequent short pauses between points. If not handled properly, these breaks can become opportunities for distraction or overthinking. That’s why professional players develop personal routines between points: toweling off, adjusting clothes, breathing deeply, thinking about tactics. These help to maintain focus, regulate emotions, and prepare for the next point.

Self-Talk and Encouragement

Tennis demands active internal dialogue. Players speak to themselves during the match to encourage, concentrate, or adjust. Phrases like “come on,” “play deep,” or “stay with it” help to regulate attention and motivation. This kind of self-awareness can be decisive during pressure moments or mental slumps.

Tactical Thinking and Mental Flexibility

Every opponent has a different style, and each match unfolds in unpredictable ways. Tennis requires constant adaptation, both technically and mentally. Changing pace, trying new solutions, reading the opponent’s intentions—these all rely on a flexible and responsive mind.

Competitive Isolation

During a match, coaching is limited. The player is essentially alone with themselves. They can’t rely on a team to help during a rough patch. This calls for emotional and decision-making autonomy, and the ability to be one’s own coach in real time.

Regarding anxiety management and, more generally, emotional self-regulation in sports, I was reminded of athletes I’ve worked with over the years who have achieved great success.
Margherita Zalaffi, the first and only athlete to date to have won Olympic medals in both foil and épée; Alessandra Sensini, the most successful athlete in the history of Italian sailing; Giovanni Pellielo, the strongest trap shooter in the world; Daniele Scarpa, Olympic gold medalist in canoeing; and Andrea Minguzzi, Olympic gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Their greatest psychological strength was the absolute determination to reach the goal they had set for themselves. At the same time, they were well aware that it would be very difficult and that failure was a real possibility. They went through intense moments of discouragement, fearing what might happen if they didn’t win—but they persevered.

Incidentally, questionnaires used to assess grit and tenacity often include terms that reflect an extreme or absolute desire to achieve one’s goals. Therefore, it’s no surprise that top athletes exhibit this same mindset.

I am convinced that it is precisely this mental approach to training and performance that creates that small final edge—perhaps just 1%—which separates those who make it to the podium from those who fall just short, and the serial winners from those who shine only once.

Many athletes do not have this mindset in their sporting and competitive lives, and it is likely this very absence that prevents them from achieving the goals they dream of.

A few decades ago, practicing sports was for many a passion pursued in their free time—an activity that complemented school or work. Only a small elite managed to turn sports into a career. Today, however, the scenario has completely changed: sport has become a way of life, a profession that millions of young people aspire to, often supported by families who invest time, money, and energy in their athletic development.

This shift is not only cultural but deeply anthropological. Sport has transformed from a choice for a privileged few into a widespread vocation. In many families, training, diet, performance, and social media presence are part of daily life. Athletes in all disciplines are now seen as role models, not just for their victories but for their lifestyle, appearance, and media visibility.

A Concrete Opportunity

For many young people, sport represents a real chance for social mobility, economic success, and personal fulfillment. Access to gyms, academies, training centers, and the growth of social media has made sports more visible and more accessible. Coaches, trainers, nutritionists, and sports psychologists have become everyday figures in an athlete’s development. Career opportunities in sports are now more numerous, thanks also to the economic ecosystem created by media, sponsors, and technology.

Behind the Dream, However, Are Also Shadows

However, this new dimension of sport, while opening new doors, also hides fatigue, risks, and vulnerability. The desire to become a professional—often cultivated from a very young age—can generate significant psychological pressure. Performance anxiety, fear of failure, obsession with results, and full identification with the role of an athlete can lead to stress, isolation, frustration, and in some cases, psychological disorders.

Many young people end up sacrificing friendships, education, leisure time, and personal development. Often, they are forced to face deep disappointment, especially if their sports dream is interrupted by an injury, rejection, or simply because they’re not “good enough.”

Even families, although driven by good intentions, can sometimes create excessive pressure. The idea of “investing” in their child’s sports career can lead to overly high expectations, turning what should be an educational opportunity into a race for success.

The Importance of Balance

It is therefore essential to promote a sports culture that goes beyond performance and considers the whole person. Sport should first and foremost be an experience of growth, learning, and human connection. It’s right to chase dreams, but equally important to support young people along the way, helping them manage setbacks, maintain balance between sport and personal life, and avoid tying their self-worth solely to achievements.

Parents, coaches, teachers, and institutions all have a key role to play. They must work together to build a healthy environment—one that supports without pressuring, motivates without overwhelming, and teaches that failure is also part of the journey.

Conclusion

Sport today is one of the strongest expressions of our society: it reflects the dreams, ambitions, and values of the younger generation. It’s important to value it—but also to protect it. Only by viewing sport not just as a means of success but as a complex human experience can we offer future generations a vision of sport that benefits not only the body, but also the mind and the heart.

How is it possible that a young tennis player aged 16–18, who trains 50 hours of tennis per month, 25 hours of physical preparation, and 5 hours of mental training – totaling around 800 hours over 10 months – is not fully aware of this investment and fails to turn it into performance on the court?

• Insecurity?

• Poor understanding of the value of training?

• Coaches not doing enough to raise awareness and reflect with them?

• Too much pressure on winning distracts from deeper thinking?

• Too much focus on fixing flaws and too little on recognizing strengths?

Emotional Immaturity and Lack of Confidence

At this age, athletic identity is still under construction. Constant comparison with peers or external expectations (family, coach, rankings) can undermine self-confidence.

• Despite the workload, self-efficacy (the inner sense of “I can do this”) may not solidify.

• Losses feel heavier than hours invested, because the athletic ego is fragile.

Distorted Focus: Winning vs. Improving

Often, the implicit message is: “Winning is what matters.” This leads to:

• Disconnection from the process: the athlete doesn’t think “I’ve trained 800 hours,” but rather “I lost in the first round.”

• Progress becomes invisible, because feedback is based solely on results.

Coaches: Not Enough Focus on Awareness

Many coaches focus heavily on what to do, but rarely on what it means:

• Little or no shared reflection on the athlete’s identity, progress, or accumulated experience.

• Errors are corrected, but acquired competencies aren’t celebrated enough.

Low Mental Literacy

Five hours of mental training per month is often not enough to:

• Build true awareness of one’s journey.

• Learn tools for self-reflection, self-assessment, and emotional regulation.

• Deepen key mindsets like work ethic, resilience, and long-term vision.

Over-Correction: The Athlete Doesn’t “See” What They Can Do

When the spotlight is always on what to fix:

• The athlete doesn’t internalize what they already do well.

• They feel never “ready enough” to express themselves, stuck in a constant “work in progress” mindset that chokes confidence during competition.

Final Note: Awareness Must Be Trained — It Doesn’t Happen by Itself

To turn 800 hours into solid performance, we need:

• A multidisciplinary educational approach (coach, mental trainer, parents).

• A clear internal narrative: “Who am I? How far have I come? What am I building?”

• Less obsession with short-term results.

• More value placed on experience, effort, and developed skills.