This is a bit against commercial interest, but it’s very easy for people to spend big money and think that their son or daughter will become a better tennis player. I don’t think that is the case. If I (Carl Maes) want to make a lot of money, that’s probably the route that I should be going. But I (Carl) think from an integrity point of view, I (Carl) need to be honest with people. Even if that means losing a client.

I (Carl) often get asked by parents whether “it’s all worth the time and the money?” I (Carl) believe It’s worth it, but that doesn’t mean that your son or daughter will become better tennis players. I (Carl) always try to go back to tennis being a metaphor of life. When you’re on a tennis court, you need to look for solutions. You have to deal with adversity. You need discipline in training. It might enhance your life getting in touch with different cultures on your tennis journey. So, I (Carl) like to focus more on those things because the biggest myth for me (Carl) is that people think that the more they spend on their son or daughter’s career, the better they will get.

That is not the case. Yes, you can go to Barbados or to some faraway country to pick up a few ITF points a little bit quicker than other players who can’t afford that. But I (Carl) do believe that cream will rise to the top. That if you’re good enough, the support will come from somewhere to make it happen. Unfortunately, money is a limiting factor, and we are losing a lot talent because of it. But that doesn’t mean if you have the money that you will become a great tennis player.

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