(From an Argentinian professional tennis player)

These days, staying true to your values is one of the hardest things to do.

In a world full of “opportunities,” the temptation is everywhere — shortcuts, unearned rewards, fast success…
You look around and see people getting what you’ve dreamed of for years.
And you wonder: Why them, not me?

It happens in tennis. It happens in life.

I’ve felt it firsthand.

I was the ugly duckling at tournaments.
Being born in Argentina, working hard, believing in the right values — none of that seemed enough.
Not the hours of training, the sacrifices, the sweat.

I wasn’t media-friendly.
I didn’t make headlines.
So what happened?
Cut out. Always. No support.

 The final blow?

One day, I saw a teammate — less talented, less committed — sign a big contract.
And I didn’t.

I went home crushed. I wanted to quit.
And when my father tried to talk to me, I cut him off:
“Don’t even start with your usual speech. This isn’t fair.”

For the first time, he said:
“You’re right. It’s not fair. But duel with me, like I duel with you.”

 Then he added something that changed my life:

“What do you want to do? Accept injustice, or let anger eat you alive?
Whatever you choose, I’ll support you.
But remember: life is teaching you what value means.
What ethics means. What justice means.
And it does it on hard days — not on the days you win.”

He told me that one day, my turn would come.
One day, I’d have the power. The pen in hand. The decision to make.
And when that moment came… that’s when I’d show who I really was.

 Because it’s easy to be good when it benefits you.
It’s easy to be fair when you get something out of it.
But a true champion is revealed when they have the power to make a difference — and choose to make it the right way.

 So today, I want to tell you this:

Hold on.
Take the hits.
Don’t let injustice poison you.
Stay in the game. And when it’s your turn — do the right thing. Do it better. Do it well.

 Victory isn’t about beating others.
It’s about not betraying yourself.
And believe me — in the long run…
that’s the only way to truly win.

by Federico Coppini
https://coppinitennisacademy.com/