Hey Tennis Freaks,
I have a confession to make. Lately, the "love" hasn't really been there.
Maybe you’ve felt this too. Not burned out exactly… just flat. Still playing, still training, but without that "pull" to the court that used to wake you up in the morning.
For me, it happened in October. I tried to get into an ITF event and ended up getting bypassed for six wildcards by my own federation. It felt like a door slammed in my face, and honestly? It took the heart right out of me. I haven't really played since.
I realized I’d fallen into the "Winning Trap." I was playing for the result, the ranking, and the validation. Somewhere along the line, the joy of the process got replaced by the pressure of the outcome.
Dec 30, 2017. Me at 14 years old with Pierre, a true mentor & legend in my books.
Yesterday, that changed.
I spent three hours on the phone with Pierre, my old junior coach (pictured above). He reminded me of the kid in that photo. The one who didn't just play to win, but the one who was obsessed with the training, matches, the shoes, the strings, and the feeling of a clean strike.
He gave me the best advice I’ve heard in years:
"If you want to play again, do it to GROW as a human. Use the game to see what you're made of, not just to see what the score is."
The Shift for 2026
In this newsletter, we talk a lot about "Winning Tight Matches" and "Modern Forehands." But for 2026, I’m adding a new goal to the list: Playing to Grow.
When you play to grow, a "bad" loss is just data. A missed wildcard is just a redirection. A frustrating practice session is just an opportunity to work on your character.
My 2026 Plan:
Fall back in love with the game: (The sound of a clean strike, the movement, and yes, the gear that makes me excited to zip up the bag).
Work on the Forehand: (Coach’s orders, it’s a never-ending craft).
Detachment: Focusing on the person I’m becoming on the court, rather than just the number on the board.
Whether you’re a junior trying to make a name for yourself or a club player just trying to improve, ask yourself: Are you playing to win, or are you playing to grow?
The irony? When you play to grow, the winning usually takes care of itself.
See you on the court,
Cade (& Chris)
P.S. Finding the love again usually starts with a fresh setup that makes you want to go practice. If you’re looking for that "new season" feeling, hit up our partners and use code our discount codes.
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