Alberto Cei

Let’s bring together some key insights on children’s mental development to understand how they might also influence their path in sports.

1. Reading from an early age makes a real difference

In Italy, according to the latest 2022 ISTAT data, only 39.3% of people aged 6 and over read at least one book for pleasure in the past year—a decline compared to previous years. Women read more than men (44% vs. 34.3%), and this gap begins as early as age 11. Among young people under 24, reading is more common (57.1%), with girls aged 11–14 reaching over 60%.

Children who grow up in families where reading is a habit are far more likely to become regular readers. This is critical, because reading stimulates language development, imagination, focus, and self-discipline—all of which are essential not just in school, but in sports as well.

Still, even among those who do read, few do it consistently: only 6.4% of Italians are considered “strong readers” (12+ books per year), while 17.4% read no more than three books annually. Furthermore, one in ten households owns no books at all, and 63.6% own fewer than 100. Italy’s reading culture remains weak, especially given how vital it is for children’s cognitive and emotional development.

2. Your vocabulary at age 5 already says a lot about your future

Nobel laureate James Heckman has shown that by preschool age, there are already huge vocabulary gaps tied to socioeconomic background: children of unemployed parents know about 500 words, those from low-education households around 700, and those of college-educated parents up to 1,100. Sadly, these differences persist over time and strongly predict a child’s future in terms of career, income, health, and family stability.

This shows how critical it is to invest in education and cognitive stimulation from the earliest years of life.

3. Sports need trained minds—not just trained bodies

Novak Djokovic shared that as a child, he listened to classical music, read poetry, and studied languages. This multidisciplinary approach helped him build focus and emotional intelligence—vital traits in elite-level tennis. For him, life lessons and tennis lessons were one and the same.

His story illustrates that athletic talent alone isn’t enough: a trained mind is essential. That’s why promoting reading and culture from early childhood is also a key investment in sports. It helps develop not only better athletes, but also more disciplined, aware, and resilient individuals.

In summary
If we want to raise a generation of skilled athletes and active citizens, we must start with education: reading, language, critical thinking. Sport, like life, requires curious and well-prepared minds. The weak sporting culture in Italy is just one symptom of a deeper educational poverty—one that far too many young people pay for well before adulthood.

In the world of tennis, there’s a lot of talk about what it means to have a “winning mentality.” Some associate it with masculine traits, others see it as unwavering self-confidence. Some believe it’s a matter of character—something you’re either born with or not. Others still think that coming from a disadvantaged background creates that hunger to succeed, the so-called “will to win” of champions.

These explanations tend to build a rigid, almost mythical idea of what a winning mentality is. As a result, tennis players may feel trapped by their origins: if they don’t match these predefined stories, they might think they’ll never become winners.

However, my experience working with many elite athletes—including 13 Olympic medalists—and what sports psychology tells us about top performers show a different, more realistic picture: one that’s practical, trainable, and within everyone’s reach. In this article, I want to share a few actionable guidelines that any tennis player can follow to improve their performance—always, of course, in relation to their technical level, physical condition, and style of play.

1. Have No Expectations—Just Do Your Best

Every player wants to win. But that thought should be pushed to the back of your mind. What truly matters is staying focused on the present—each serve, each return. You can’t control the outcome of a point, but you can control your effort. So focus only on your game. Then, after each rally, see whether your best was enough—or whether your opponent did better.

2. Be Patient: Tough Moments Will Come

Tennis is a game where the winner is the one who makes fewer mistakes. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s to make fewer errors than your opponent. Negative moments are part of every match. Believing they won’t come is unrealistic. When they do, don’t get angry or discouraged. Instead, stay patient and keep playing with focus.

3. Don’t Let the Score Dictate Your Emotions

Less experienced players—and many teenagers—often get excited when they play well and emotionally collapse when they lose points. This leads to emotional and behavioral instability. You should be your own biggest supporter on the court, not like those fans who cheer only when their team is winning and boo when it’s losing.

4. Manage Competitive Stress and Accept Your Fears

Many players are so afraid of their own fears that they make excuses: “I wasn’t feeling the ball today,” “My legs felt heavy,” “My opponent played the match of their life.” Girls, in particular, may be more emotionally reactive, getting pumped up or discouraged depending on how points go. The key difference between champions and others is the courage to face those fears and learn how to manage them.

5. Think About the Game

No matter your level, you need to have a clear idea of how you want to play. Even a simple plan like “run and get the ball back” is better than no plan at all. This is especially true for serving: “How can I put my opponent under pressure?” “What was I doing when I won those points?” You need both technical thoughts and motivational thoughts. They’re equally important.

In conclusion, the winning mentality isn’t magic, nor is it reserved for a select few. It’s a set of attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors that anyone can develop. Every tennis player has the chance to cultivate it—starting with one simple thing: focusing on what’s within their control.