The history of sports has witnessed many children unable to overcome the great shadow of their father. There are many reasons for this problem, such as too great expectations, or the ability of the children themselves is not enough. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have a son who wants to pursue a tennis career, but the way they raise their children is not interventions.
Leo, the son of the Swiss tennis legend, shows his growing passion for the sport. However, Roger has made it clear that he will not be a direct coach on the pitch. Instead, he will play a role as a type of General Director, responsible for organizing - arranging coaches, practice matches and quality schedules. Leo's technical shaping depends on him personally and those who work directly.
Federer will carry the pressure from behind, ensuring his children's tennis experience is both fun and effective. He doesn't think about titles or rankings. The important thing is to help Leo enjoy, develop gradually, experience a competitive world at a natural speed and suitable for age.
Djokovic also has a similar view of his son Stefan, but it comes from the past he has gone through. Previously, Nole's father was very interested and had direct interventions in the early stages of his career, to the point that he had to say to him: "Please avoid it. You need to improve yourself. I need a father as a father, not a coach. Therefore, for Stefan, Novak will help by selecting the best coaches, the best fitness experts, the best environment.
The way Federer and Djokovic think and do things should probably be something we should reflect on the way we teach children in today's society. The high expectations, the strict imposition, put children under great pressure every day. As a result, going to school is no longer a happy day, but even at home is full of fear, obsession, no longer proactive. Then from the family, society is also dragged into a cycle of turning into a story of achievements.
Having a child in life is a happy thing, so the expectation is completely understandable. But when each person should live their own life, after all, the role of parents should be a safe place, creating motivation, not a source of pressure.
