Archive for the 'Olimpiadi' Category

The intensity and consistency value in tennis

In tennisintensity and consistency are two fundamental qualities for playing a match effectively, and they are closely linked to the player’s mental attitude, especially for young athletes who are still developing technically and emotionally.

This concept of intensity and consistency is not only valid for professional players, but it is equally important for 14-year-olds who have been playing for several years and regularly participate in tournaments.

1. Same principles, different levels

Professionals have trained for years to maintain intensity and consistency, but the underlying mechanisms are the sameeven for players who are still growing. A 14-year-old boy or girl who plays tournaments already has a solid technical base and understands the rhythm of competition. At this point, mental attitude makes the difference, just like it does at the highest level.

2. Training the right mindset from a young age

If a young athlete learns to:

  • step onto the court with intensity,
  • face difficulties without giving up,
  • avoid lapses in concentration,

they are already developing the qualities that will help them at every stage of their sporting career. In essence, learning to play using the right mindset is not something to postpone until adulthood—it must be built now, in every practice and in every match.

3. Youth tournaments are a real testing ground

In youth tournaments, matches are often unpredictable: one set might be won 6-1, and the next lost 1-6. This happens because young players are still learning to manage emotions and maintain focus. Those who begin to understand the importance of mental intensity and consistency in their game gain a real advantage.

4. Personal responsibility and growth

At 14, a tennis player has already played enough matches to know that just “playing well” is not enough to win: it takes presence, fight, and belief in their own game, even during tough moments. This means taking responsibility for one’s attitude and using every match as a chance to grow, not just as a result to achieve.

In conclusion, the qualities of intensity and consistency apply to everyone—from professionals to young players competing in tournaments. Those who start to develop them seriously by the age of 14 are preparing not only to become stronger players, but also to better handle pressure, difficult moments, and long-term progress in their sporting journey.

The Italian football is searching a new scapegoat

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.

Sinner e Alcaraz: The duels

Sport is so captivating because of its ability to offer breathless duels between two athletes.
Among the most memorable are the cycling rivalries between Coppi and Bartali, or Merckx and Gimondi; in motorsport, those between Biaggi and Rossi; and in tennis, the epic battles between Nadal and Federer, later joined by Djokovic.
We spectators are drawn to these showdowns for one simple reason: we don’t know how they’ll end.
People often say, “May the best player win,” but it would be more accurate to say, “May the one who is the best todaywin.”
Victory isn’t something you earn once and for all — each time, you have to start over, just like in Joseph Conrad’s novella The Duel, and its film adaptation The Duellists by Ridley Scott, which tells the story of two men who, during the Napoleonic Wars, chase each other across Europe to settle a personal grudge.

In sports, that same drive for personal redemption is sublimated into the pursuit of dominance over an opponent — but within a public, carefully regulated confrontation overseen by a referee who ensures that the rules are respected.

Yesterday, we witnessed one of these historic battles between two extraordinary tennis players, both young, the top two in the world rankings, representing not only the present but also the next decade of the sport.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz played a historic match for several reasons.
It was the longest final in Roland Garros history: 5 hours and 29 minutes.
But these numbers aren’t just trivia for statisticians — they reflect the immense value these athletes placed on each point, showcasing their tenacity.
Being tenacious means doing what you’ve already done, again, even when it becomes harder.
That’s not a tongue twister — it’s the essence of perseverance: playing with the same intensity and physical energy even when you’re two sets down, like Alcaraz, or continuing to push and stay focused without resorting to desperate shots, even when fatigue sets in or after the disappointment of losing three match points, as happened to Sinner.

Some might say, “Well, they’re champions — that’s why they can do that.”
But I see it the other way around: they became champions because they trained to show up like that when it counts.
What sets them apart is their ability to stay locked into the match, giving as little space as possible to either joy or disappointment, and always staying focused on their game, regardless of the score.

For all these reasons, I believe it’s fair to say we witnessed a historic match. And we can expect more of the same every time they face off again.
But the day after such a battle, the time comes to recover, physically and mentally. To return to everyday life.
And Sinner reminded us of that with humility, saying he would now spend time with his family — and that his father wasn’t at the match… because he was at work

The tennis psychological characteristics

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 focusregulate 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.

10 years of football and autismo revised in one book

The topics covered in the book “Football and Autism”, which I co-wrote with my collaborators, illustrate the methodology and results achieved through the integrated football program promoted by ASD Accademia di Calcio Integrato, made possible thanks to the support of AS Roma. The program has been active for over 10 years and represents an innovative educational model aimed at including young people with intellectual disabilities. Its main goal is to promote integration through sport, recognizing football as an educational, relational, and rehabilitative experience.

The project involves children and adolescents with and without disabilities, encouraging teamwork and the development of social skills. From the outset, a 32-hour training course was created to standardize the skills of the team, which includes youth football coaches, sports psychologists, speech therapists, and doctors.

The activities were designed to adapt to the individual abilities of the participants, particularly those with autism spectrum disorders, who show a wide range of motor and psychosocial skills. The program also includes one-on-one sessions when necessary, to ensure personalized interventions.

The annual results have demonstrated the method’s effectiveness, which has been validated through several scientific publications over the years. The project has also had a significant social impact thanks to collaboration with local schools and support teachers, enhancing the inclusion of participants in educational settings.

Families have also played an active role, finding in the training environment a space for sharing and mutual support.

The project has received support from the Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP), FISDIR, and the Lazio Regional Council, which helped strengthen and expand the initiative.

Over time, a true community has formed, focused on the well-being of young people with disabilities, showing how sport can be a powerful tool for integration.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who, with dedication and commitment, has made the success of this unique experience possible.

Champions have an absolute motivazione, even as they live with their insecurities

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.

In soccer at age 8: effort and fun come first, results come last

A football coach asked if to divide 8-year old children in three group based on motor skill levels cause problems?

Dividing 8-year-old children into three groups based on motor skill levels in soccer is problematic for several reasons, especially in light of the theories on youth sport development formulated by Jean Côté, a leading scholar in sport psychology.

1. Contradiction with the Positive Youth Development (PYD) model

Jean Côté developed the Developmental Model of Sport Participation (DMSP), which promotes sports participation based on fun, inclusion, and diversification during the early years (particularly up to age 12). According to Côté:

“In the sampling years (ages 6–12), children should engage in various sports with an emphasis on enjoyment and deliberate play rather than early specialization or performance-based selection.”
(Côté, J., Baker, J., & Abernethy, B. – Practice and Play in the Development of Sport Expertise, 2007)

Dividing children by skill level at age 8 places too much emphasis on early performance, which undermines the inclusive and playful environment Côté considers essential.

2. Risk of exclusion and loss of motivation

Grouping children by ability can lead to:

  • Stigmatization of those in the “lower” groups.
  • Reduced self-esteem.
  • Lower long-term motivation.

According to Côté, a competitive environment too early often leads to dropout from sport, while one focused on fun and participation fosters continued involvement and the gradual development of motor skills.

3. Underestimating individual developmental trajectories

Motor skills at age 8 are highly variable and influenced by many unstable factors, such as physical development, play opportunities, and family support. Côté emphasizes:

“Early ability is a poor predictor of long-term success in sport.”
(Côté & Fraser-Thomas, 2007)

Selecting or dividing children based on these early abilities is not predictive of their future potential and can instead limit opportunities for late developers.

Conclusion

Grouping 8-year-old children in soccer based on skill level goes against the principles of positive youth development promoted by Jean Côté. Such a practice:

  • Reduces enjoyment and inclusivity.
  • Encourages early exclusion
  • Relies on unreliable criteria for long-term development.

A better approach would be to promote mixed-ability play, variety, and exploration, allowing skills to develop naturally in a supportive and motivating environment.

Sport today: dream, profession and psychological challenge

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.

Rafa Nadal: don’t call him legend

Yesterday at Roland Garros, Rafa Nadal was honored for his 14 victories over 20 years in this tournament. It was an unimaginable journey, and even less a planned one. To acknowledge this achievement, 14,000 spectators gathered, along with the other three players who have dominated tennis alongside him for the past 25 years: Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. Like them, Nadal has been a serial winner, claiming 22 Grand Slam titles and winning 96% of his matches at Roland Garros.

An incredible string of victories—probably unrepeatable in terms of numbers—as are the records of the other three members of the group nicknamed “The Fabulous Four.” But let’s not call them legends of the sport. Once, the word “legend” was used to describe saints, whose lives were narrated and embellished by popular imagination. Today, we don’t need to romanticize Nadal’s or his rivals’ stories of success through the eyes of admiring fans. They should be seen, clearly and realistically, as athletes who achieved what no one else had before.

If we want young tennis players to look up to them as role models, we must follow their journeys closely in order to truly understand what it takes to become serial winners.

Many young talents in sports lose their way partly because they view their heroes’ success with blind faith. They fail to grasp what lies behind those victories and only see that, in tough moments, these champions stay composed and manage to come through. Rarely do they ask how they learned to handle such situations, because their belief is that champions simply solve problems better than others because they are champions. It’s the same attitude people once had toward the lives of saints—enriching their stories with personal interpretations detached from reality.

That’s why we shouldn’t call them legends: this kind of narrative doesn’t help us understand the deeper reasons behind their repeated success.

Those who choose to believe Nadal is a legend will never truly grasp a fundamental lesson taught to him by his uncle and coach, Toni Nadal. As a young player, Rafa fully understood and embraced the importance of daily commitment—every single day, without exception, throughout all the years they trained together.
He showed up with the right attitude, never giving in to frustration or smashing a racket in despair, always ready to train longer than expected, never complaining, and striking the ball with the best effort he could manage each time.
But above all, he accepted—maturely and consciously—that even if he did all of this consistently, it didn’t necessarily mean things would go well.

We must never lose sight of the human and personal side of the most successful champions in sports history, or we risk missing the chance to truly learn from them.

Tennis: lots of training, little confidence – how is that possible?

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:

  • 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.