“Do you know who this is?” I asked, showing them a photo of Garbine Muguruza.
“Who is that?” Reefa asked.
So I showed them part of a documentary from the 2016 French Open, where Muguruza defeated Serena Williams to win her first Grand Slam title. She later became World No. 1.
Then I shared a story from The Secrets of Spanish Tennis. The book tells how Muguruza once hit more than 800 consecutive shots using just one ball without making a mistake.
Then I gave them a challenge.
“Now go and hit 50 balls with one ball without making a mistake.”
They completed it…but using six balls. 😆
Still a long way to go.
Stories inspire. Challenges build belief.
Now they have a target, to chase Muguruza’s consistency all the way from Kangar.
Because in tennis, consistency beats most players.
Stories Teach Better Than Instructions
Sometimes, telling kids what to do is not enough.
It has to come through a story.
A story takes them somewhere they have never imagined. It gives meaning to the task. Once they hear it, they remember it. The story becomes embedded in their minds.
There is a big difference between saying, “Good players can hit more than 800 balls without making a mistake,” and telling the story of how Garbiñe Muguruza achieved that level of consistency through training.
The challenge is exactly the same.
The impact is completely different.
I use this approach a lot with the twins. It helps them understand not only what they need to do, but why it matters. They remember the lesson far better than if I simply gave them instructions without any context.
This is one way I transfer knowledge.
Many coaches have good knowledge but struggle to transfer that knowledge to young players. Coaching is not only about knowing the game. It is about delivering the message in a way that players understand, remember, and believe.
Stories create belief.
When children know that someone has already achieved something extraordinary, they begin to believe that it is possible. The goal no longer feels impossible, it becomes something worth chasing.
Sometimes, the best coaching tool isn’t another drill.
It’s the right story, told at the right moment.