No Team… Less Chance-Recognize!
Importance of Team in Tennis
On the professional tennis tour the majority of players have built a support team (A coach, physical trainer, an agent or manager, partner, friends) while others have a close group of players they rely on for encouragement, a laugh, support and above all tennis results.
These players all understand the extreme importance for them to have this "team" dynamic. They not only rely on the team for feedback, motivation, and support, but have learned how equally important it is to also be able to help and support others themselves. This brings them satisfaction and a feeling that they are in alignment of obtaining their personal goals.
Your team should consist of people that you need to spend time with, listen to, communicate with, and respect. As they believe in you, you too should believe in them, it is a two-way street.
Successful professional athletes understand that team is more important than any individual member, so that is why they rarely put their own ego before the team’s wellbeing. Many times what is going on between the team is more important than the player’s actual skills.
Nick Bollieterri (one of the sport's greatest coaches and pioneer of tennis academies) states:
“In sports, teamwork is essential to achieving a victory as it requires the effort of every member on the team. While tennis seems to be quite an individual sport, there are many team dynamics in the background to help tennis players achieve success!” Nick Bollettieri (2017) also explained that even though the end result might be credited to a single individual, the teamwork behind the player is the key to success.
Teamwork requires training, practice and trust
As all member depends on the performance of each other, trust and belief is a critical element to the success of the group. This means Every Single Time and each time with 100% effort and focus is not only expected but demanded from all members.
Imagine a player thinking that his/her coach had a bad night or had too much wine with dinner the previous evening. This doubt might be the cause of a disastrous performance!
Player and Coach
A player and coach needs to respect each other enough to communicate effectively and speak openly about progress, goals, tennis results, and what’s needed for improvements.
Rafa Nadal on his team being free to communicate
“There is only one way to work – to respect each other and to have a very good personal relationship. It’s more than a work relationship. For me personally it’s something even more important than tennis. I like my team in a human way – in a professional way too of course – and I feel comfortable like this. I always like to have long-term relationships. It’s the same with my sponsors, with my friends and with my team. I feel happy like this. When I’m at the tournaments I feel like I’m with my family. For me it works well. For other people it’s different, but that’s how I like it.”
“The important thing is to have a group of people around you who feel free enough to tell you if you are doing things right or not,” Nadal said. “When you are often changing people around you it’s difficult to find this confidence.”
I’ve never fired anyone, I don’t think any coach that I have had in my career has ever been afraid of telling me the truth or being honest with me because he feared for his job.”
How does teamwork improve quality?
Teamwork helps everyone to communicate more effectively and more often in real-time thus minimizing friction and delays.
Having the right people around you is a blessing and will enable you to reach for great heights because you know that they have your back and you have theirs. This boosts confidence, belief and makes for more fun in the whole process.
Every team member has their own set of skills and strengths, but when the whole team works as a unit, everyone has an opportunity to learn from each other. This process leads stronger building that allows for the team to become better equipped to deal with all challenges. Teamwork can improve efficiency and productivity.
So here are the key reasons teamwork is so important.
Efficient work
Self-monitoring
Innovate faster
Learn from each other
Creates healthy competition
Promotes strong working relationships
5 benefits of teamwork
Give employees a sense of ownership
Build on the strengths of each team member
Build trust within teams
Take the opportunity to co-create and innovate
Share knowledge and skills
What makes an effective team and why?
For a team to be truly effective, all members must unite with the same vision and be motivated to bring that vision to life. They must share clear, measurable goals, and be committed to each person playing their part in the overall success of the group.
Serena Williams on surrounding herself with a strong team
Arguably the greatest female athlete and tennis player of all time, believes that being surrounded by a good and strong group of people was one of the keys to her astonishing success. "How it's important to have a really good team around you, and how you can have a good career if you have a good team around you and how you can have a different career if you have a bad team around you.”
Growing up I wasn’t the richest, but I had a rich family in spirit
Serena further declares that when she sets a mission statement at the start of each season, how important it is for each team member to clearly understand that mission statement in order to make life easier for everyone. Every decision going forward is made in alignment with her mission statement.
