On September 1st, a new school year begins in Moldova. For some, today will be the first day of school, for others, it will be the first time they’ll return to their familiar desks, and for students, it will be the first time they’ll be on their way to their chosen profession.
The Moldovan Tennis Federation congratulates children, students, their parents, and teachers on the start of the new academic year and wishes them the most important thing: to maintain their desire to learn new things.
Because learning doesn’t end with the ringing of the school bell or a university diploma. Essentially, a person learns throughout their life. And tennis, in this sense, is very similar to school.
When they step onto the court, children are constantly learning. First, how to hold the racket correctly and hit the ball. Then, how to move, think several shots ahead, understand their opponent, and make split-second decisions. They learn to concentrate, work consistently, correct mistakes, and not give up on their goals after a loss.
But tennis can teach another important lesson: sport and education should not become rivals.
Almost every child who plays tennis seriously dreams of winning a major tournament, making the national team, or becoming a professional player. And it’s important to dream about it. Great results rarely come without great goals.
But professional sport is an extremely difficult and competitive path. Therefore, adults’ job is not to force a child to choose between a racket and a textbook, but to help them learn to combine sport and education.
Knowledge acquired in school and university doesn’t hinder a sports career. On the contrary, the ability to analyze, think independently, organize one’s time, communicate with people, and constantly learn new things helps on the court.
And if one day life takes a person away from professional tennis and into another field, the years spent on the court will not be wasted. Discipline, independence, a work ethic, and the ability to accept both victories and defeats gracefully will be useful in any profession.
Therefore, at the beginning of the new academic year, we want to wish our young tennis players not only good grades and victories in tournaments.
Learn. At school, on the court, from your coaches, teachers, parents, opponents, and your own mistakes. Don’t be afraid to change your goals and learn new things. Because perhaps one of the most useful skills you can acquire in childhood is the ability to learn.
With new educational year!
