Renowned tennis coach Gabe Jaramillo vividly recalls the first time he met a young Maria Sharapova. At just nine years old, Sharapova stepped onto the court with a determination and focus that set her apart from her peers.
“Gabe, what am I supposed to accomplish today? What am I here for today? What am I working on?” she asked with enthusiasm. Jaramillo was struck by her eagerness to improve and her clear vision of success. “What really set her apart was the incredible level of focus on achieving really big goals,” he reflected.
Eyes on the Prize
At 13, Sharapova competed in the prestigious Orange Bowl tournament against French prodigy Marion Bartoli. After a tough loss, Jaramillo suggested she work on her serve. However, Sharapova had her sights set beyond that match. Instead of focusing on Bartoli, she was fixated on Serena Williams, the world No. 1 player at the time.
“She’d played that match in her mind for at least five years,” Jaramillo explained. “Every time she trained, in her mind she was playing against Serena Williams.” This unwavering focus paid off when, at 17, Sharapova defeated Williams to win Wimbledon in 2004.
The Makings of a Champion
Throughout his illustrious career, Jaramillo has coached 11 world champions and 27 top 10 players, including Jim Courier, Andre Agassi, and Kei Nishikori. He believes that tenacity, resilience, and drive are common threads among elite athletes.
“Attitude is like gasoline,” he said. “A person can have the best vehicle in the world, but without gasoline, failure is inevitable.” Jaramillo emphasizes that a champion’s mindset extends beyond physical talent. While genetics play a role in attributes like height and coordination, he asserts that potential—comprising passion, work ethic, fearlessness, and love for the game—is critical.
Spotting Potential in Kei Nishikori
In 2003, invited by the Japan Tennis Association, Jaramillo was tasked with selecting a promising young player to train in the United States. He chose the least favored candidate: Kei Nishikori.
“While other players played conservatively under pressure, Kei exhibited bravery and resilience,” Jaramillo recalled. “He showed no fear despite the intensity of the competition.” This quality convinced him of Nishikori’s potential to become a true athlete.
Lessons Beyond the Court
Jaramillo believes that the principles that build champions can benefit anyone. “The mental part, the attitude, their brand—it will help a child, a businessperson, a lawyer, anybody,” he said. Training in sports instills discipline, focus, and a growth mindset that are valuable in all walks of life.
His insights, detailed in his latest book How to Make Champions, offer a blueprint for achieving excellence. “If they miss just one of those qualities, they won’t make it,” he noted. “They have to be able to do it, to be able to achieve.”
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How to make a tennis champion, according to Sharapova's former coach
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