Disclaimer: "ONcourt Notes" represent the views of The Bear, a.k.a
Pierre Lamarche and in no way represent the views of ACE Tennis,
Toronto Tennis City or the staff, members and players of these operations. My views are completely subjective based on what I think is objective [kind of an oxymoron] and are a reflection of an honest attempt on my part to share, to assist, to create and to stimulate people involved in the sport. If you like the ideas, use them and if you don't come up with your own answer. Be involved, having an opinion is what we need to help this great sport flourish in our great country.
A wise old coach once said: "If competition was not the ultimate goal of tennis there would be no nets, no lines, no scoring".
Playing well in practice and not in competition only indicates that you have not mastered the sport of tennis. Skills to master the sport of tennis can be acquired, developed and practiced, but you have not mastered any component until you do it repeatedly in competitive situations.
If you don't like tournaments, you probably don't like the stress that comes with competition.

In this picture: Sara Krupica at U12 Rogers Junior National Championships, July 30 - August 5,
Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
If you don't like stress and do not learn to handle it, then there is a good chance you'll also have a difficult time dealing with the realities of every day life.
Tennis is a vehicle for the development of excellence in people and that includes enjoying the competition for the opportunity to test ourselves.
Real self-confidence is acquired in competition...
So, if you want to develop your son or daughter into a tennis player and if you want to make your player into a champion, have them play tournaments to learn to play under the stress of competition.
The more stressful the competition, the better the opportunity to practice the required skills for handling pressure.
My observations:

Canadian players do not play enough competitions

Winning is a habit which is acquired only through competing

Winning tournaments is what competitive tennis is about

How many tournaments did you win this year, last year, in your life?


Good players win matches, champions win tournaments

Want to be a champion? Then win tournaments

To win tournaments you must play them
What needs to happen:

Make sure you play as many tournaments as you can

Learn to compete, tournaments are the best laboratory

Learn to win tournaments, become a champion
Winning tournaments is important regardless of who is playing the tournament. You will remember winning the tournament, not who was in the competition.
In this picture: Victoria Dimuzio at U12 Rogers Junior National Championships, July 30 - August
5, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec

"I am not playing because no one else is playing"
PL "Winning is a habit, acquire it whenever you can"

"Playing this tournament will hurt my ranking if I lose"
PL "The long-term benefits of competing far outweigh the possible short term setbacks. Being a player is what matters, not having a ranking [which is subjective]"

"I'm always playing the same guys"
PL "Winning is a habit, acquire it whenever you can, against whoever you can"

"I have to play better tournaments"
PL "You are only right if you are winning the tournaments in your backyard"

"I'll play better if I am in Florida"
PL "You won't play any better, just get a better tan and have more fun as a tourist"

In this picture: Nikki Carnovale at U14 Rogers Junior National Championships, August 7 -
13, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
One of the major factors why we do not create great Canadian players is that we do not have an adequate competitive structure in this country.
We don't have enough tournaments and as a result we do not have enough champions.
From champions will emerge the champion of champions. Every Canadian player who plays on the international scene has been a champion, we just need more.