Last Day - Progress beyond Results
We are coming to the end of our week of competition in Bahrain, and we leave with mixed feelings.
Mixed feelings because, on one side, we are very happy with the progress Rafa has shown this week. But on the other side, we were also very close to beating two top ranked players in Asia, and those matches slipped away by very small details. That always leaves a little taste of “what if”.
If I compare this event with the last tournament we played in this category, I can clearly see a huge progression in Rafa. Better results, more ranking points, but most importantly, a completely different competitive level.
Rafa is now much more competitive and capable of fighting and winning against any of the top ranked players. The fact that the only matches he lost this week were all three-set battles, and against top players, says everything about where he is right now.
As we only had one match on the last playing day, we decided to spend more time in the gym. We focused mainly on mobility work, some specific exercises with resistance bands, and a bit of interval cardio on the treadmill.
In the evening, Rafa played against a local Bahraini player and won comfortably.
Today, Saturday, we still have one last match, second turn. I am quite confident Rafa will have another good performance, as the opponent on paper is not as strong. But as always, every match is a chance to learn, improve, and compete with the right mindset.
This trip was also special for another reason.It is the first time Rafa has travelled to a tournament with a coach and without his father, Jeff.
That was a real experience for him. When Jeff is around, Rafa naturally feels more relaxed because he knows his dad will take care of everything. This week, I tried to make Rafa understand that there are many things he can and should control himself.
- Preparing his bag.
- Being ready for breakfast on time.
- Balancing how much food he eats.
- Preparing his electrolytes.
- Managing his water bottles for matches.
- Taking care of his grips and rackets.
All these little things may seem small, but together they make a huge difference. They help a young player become more mature, more organized, and more responsible. I have to say Rafa took this challenge very positively, and I can already see real improvements in this part of his development.
And this is something very important; when you are responsible for a young player, your job is not only to train him on court. It is also to prepare him for the tennis lifestyle. A life that is not easy. A life that requires responsibility, discipline, and constant decision-making, both on and off the court.
That is often the real difference between the very best players and the rest. Overall, I am very happy with Rafa’s evolution, both as a player and as a person.The next tournament will be another special milestone. It will be Rafa’s first time representing his country, the Philippines, as the number one under-14 player.
I truly hope that everything we learned together this week in Bahrain will help him continue growing, improving, and believing in his journey. And one day, when we look back at this week in Bahrain, I am sure we will remember it not for the matches we lost, but for the player and the young man Rafa started to become here.
Good job, Rafa!