Switzerland’s tennis legend Roger Federer exemplifies what being competitive means in tennis. The Swiss player has proved his dominance on court with 20 Grand Slam titles and 103 career ATP titles. Being competitive means being motivated to win and dreaming of lifting the trophies. It means being a perfectionist and wanting to improve continually. It means controlling your emotions, and as Roger Feder says, not getting too overexcited. It means managing your fear of losing and managing battles in your head during times when things aren't going so well so that you believe that you can win even if you are not playing really well. It means gritting your teeth and hanging in there and finding a way to win.



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Competitiveness Tips
1 Have you analyzed stats about your strengths and weaknesses in relation to other athletes and identified where you need to improve to gain competitive edge?
2 In competition, do you focus on performing well and doing your best rather than winning? Focusing on winning will do little to help you win.
3 Are you able to control your explanations for winning and losing—giving yourself full credit for your wins and giving your opponents credit for their wins.
4 Have you prepared well and do you enjoy the buzz from competing and performing well in front of others?
5 How confident are you of your ability to win and maintain hope and optimism even if you are not performing at your best?
6 How capable are you of putting fear of losing out of your mind and allowing yourself to be immersed in the action?

What experts say

You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy.

Arthur Ashe Tennis Player

Whenever you get to win, you feel the satisfaction of all of your hard work, all the sacrifices, all the blood, sweat and tears. It feels right and makes you realise that you are really doing the right thing.

Abby Wambach Soccer Player


Do the SPQ20 and find out how competitive you are