Eduard Kudermetov, a former forward for renowned hockey clubs Ak Bars, Metallurg, Spartak, CSKA, and a distinguished member of the Russian national team, recently shared the compelling story of how his daughters, Veronika and Polina Kudermetova, embarked on their journeys into professional tennis.
A Self-Driven Start in Tennis
According to Eduard, his daughters were not specifically “sent” into tennis; rather, they discovered the sport through their own initiative. Initially, both girls were engaged in dancing and attended art school. The pivotal moment arrived when Veronika, at the age of eight, declared to her parents her desire to play tennis. Eduard fondly recalls supporting her decision, highlighting the intrinsic value of sports for maintaining physical fitness and fostering discipline. This newfound passion quickly captivated Veronika, and by the age of 13, it became unequivocally clear that tennis had the potential to become a serious and significant pursuit for her.
The Early Years and Parental Support
The initiative, without a doubt, originated from the girls themselves. Veronika commenced her tennis journey at 8.5 years old. Her younger sister, Polina, who is six years her junior, was merely a toddler at the time, only 2.5 years old. During their formative years, the family resided in Moscow, where the primary responsibility for raising and accompanying the daughters fell upon Eduard`s wife, as he was deeply immersed in his own active sports career. His wife diligently transported Veronika to practices, and Polina frequently accompanied them, as there was no one else to leave her with. This period presented its own set of challenges, involving the preparation of meals, feeding the children in the car, and dedicating substantial time on the courts, offering unwavering support to their elder daughter during her training sessions and competitions.
Navigating the Transition: From Hockey to Tennis Coaching
For Eduard, the transition from his illustrious hockey career to the world of tennis proved to be a significant challenge. He candidly admits that he had to undergo a considerable learning curve, observing the methodologies of other coaches and enrolling in various courses, including those offered at RGUFK and the Samaranche National Training Center. He emphatically underscores that the constant presence of a parent and child in the dual capacity of coach and athlete, 24 hours a day, can be profoundly exhausting and often lead to disagreements. Unlike working with an external coach, where individuals have the opportunity to take breaks from each other, the family “parent-coach” dynamic entails incessant togetherness – whether at home, in hotels, or during training sessions. It was precisely for this reason that a strategic decision was made to engage a separate coach for Polina, an arrangement that, according to Eduard, has garnered satisfaction from all parties involved.
The Complexities of Professional Development
Veronika`s father clarifies that his role in her development was never that of a direct tennis coach; instead, it primarily revolved around physical conditioning and accompanying her on various trips. He sheds light on the inherent complexities associated with organizing international trips with a coach, which necessitates covering airfare, accommodation, meals, and the mentor`s salary. Furthermore, in his informed opinion, a child`s eventual success in sports is, to a large extent, akin to a lottery, offering no definitive guarantee that the substantial investments of time, effort, and finances will yield the desired returns.
Eduard openly acknowledges that he initially served as Polina`s tennis coach, but they have since ceased their joint training sessions due to the inherent difficulties of perpetual togetherness. He vividly describes his personal experience as one of continuous global travel, spanning continents such as America and Australia, in a dedicated support role, a demanding undertaking that he finds increasingly taxing given his age.
The Psychological Toll and the Importance of Hard Work
Kudermetov reveals that one of the most challenging periods in a young athlete`s journey is adolescence, typically between 16 and 18 years old, when they might abruptly reject tennis, perceiving it as a pursuit driven by their parents` aspirations rather than their own. He powerfully emphasizes that a life entirely devoted to sports instills a specific rhythm, discipline, and a profound sense of obligation. Consequently, the transition back to an ordinary life after concluding a professional career can emerge as a significant psychological ordeal.
In conclusion, Eduard Kudermetov frequently reiterates to both his protégés and his daughters that success in sports is attributed to 1% talent and a staggering 99% hard work and the unwavering desire to push one`s boundaries. He issues a poignant warning to young athletes: those who predominantly rely on their natural abilities but neglect the arduous work ethic risk later witnessing the triumphs of less naturally gifted but more diligent peers on television, inevitably regretting the myriad missed opportunities. He earnestly implores them to cultivate mindfulness and unwavering diligence.
Marcus Prine