Daily Discipline and Turning a Serve Weakness Into a Weapon

Key Points

• Fun Within Structure:
  Creativity was encouraged, but within a clearly defined system that included responsibility for equipment and time management.

• Gradual Progression:
  Training started lightly (~1h15, 2–3x/week) and steadily increased with age—adding fast-court sessions, physical training, and regular physiotherapy for recovery.

• Constant Engagement:
  Sessions were active and hands-on—Carlos was pushed with repetition, feedback, and technical analysis from an early age.

• Early Competition Exposure:
  From age 7–8, Carlos was competing regularly, often in older age groups—sometimes playing 3–4 matches in a day. He thrived without burnout.

   

• Core Philosophy = Order:
  Emphasis on punctuality, organization, and structure—everything from ball counts to neatly placed backpacks was part of the discipline.

• Relentless Work Ethic:
  Carlos trained hard every single day with enthusiasm and structure. Skipping sessions was extremely rare.

   

• Respectful and Team-Oriented:
  He valued all teammates equally—never refused to train with anyone, unlike many kids his age. He helped create a focused, drama-free group dynamic.

   

• Consistent Preparation:
  Every session was meticulously planned, and that same approach continues today. Carlos brought intensity and commitment to every workout.

   

• The Serve Was a Challenge:
  While most strokes came naturally, the serve required extra, isolated work. His toss was solid, but body alignment and coordination needed focused correction.

   

• Turning Weakness Into Strength:
  Even when the serve wasn’t dominant, Carlos used the next shot to flip the point—often going straight into attack mode after the return.