WorldFirst’s Post

Game, set, match - LFG!

Champions Cooperation for gold only As previous Dutch Table Tennis Champion and director of Business Brands Champions, I know that it is essential to work together as Champions Teams. Yes, the only way to get the best results in! Believe me, I have seen it, done it and been there for many times. Firstly, we welcome all sport and business Champions and give them immediately access to our international Champions Teams. Secondly, we will grow successfully as Champions Teams. Last but not least, the Champions Teams will always cooperate to win. Now it is up to You Champ, the Champions Cooperation is here. Remember that and become the Champion in You. Just like that. #BusinessBrandsChampions #business #brands #Champions #cooperation

The Red Roses and the coaching staff deserve all the applause — what a team, what a setup, what a year! 🏆👏 But here’s a question: when does a series of such dominant victories start looking less like a celebration and more like a warning sign? A warning of the disparity and dysfunction in the system. Whilst there is still work to be done to fairly resource and compensate The Roses, they do benefit from world-class resources—improving centralised contracts, Pennyhill Park, an almost professional domestic league, and funding that flows from the men’s game. Most nations don’t even come close to that. How does that affect competition? This isn’t about taking anything away from the Roses. Not at all. They’re incredible. But how do we make sure every nation has the chance to compete? How do we level up the game globally, not just at the top? A stronger, fairer system benefits everyone. With the World Cup looming - we could not be more excited in my house! - it is time to ask the tough questions about what legacy and systemic change we can make once the circus has left town... 🤔

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞? The region has been a powerhouse for women’s tennis, producing 12 grand slam champions since 2004. Yet, aside from players like Maria Sharapova, few have achieved lasting mainstream fame or commercial success. Maria Kholodova examines the barriers Eastern European women players face in breaking into global markets — where smaller national economies, outdated stereotypes and a perceived lack of organic rivalries have all played a role. As world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Świątek battle for another grand slam title at the Australian Open, victory would further cement their status at the top of the sport. But in an era where global superstardom is shaped by more than just rankings and trophies, would it truly move the needle? 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/erruexiM

Tennis Australia has announced a two-year partnership with Culture Amp, naming the company its official Employee Experience Partner and new team sponsor of the Australian Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup teams. https://lnkd.in/gRUFkzCJ

Fail forward

In tennis, John McEnroe was an electrifying presence—brilliant, passionate, and unafraid to show his emotions. His style mirrors the essence of founder CEOs: visionaries who pour their hearts into their creations, driven by an insatiable desire to innovate and lead. Contrast this with Novak Djokovic, whose methodical approach and relentless execution epitomize the professional CEO. Djokovic’s game is a masterclass in precision and discipline, much like a seasoned CEO steering a company toward operational excellence and sustained growth. But the real magic happens when these qualities converge. Once in a lifetime, we get to see people who blend McEnroe’s passion with Djokovic’s precision, creating a powerhouse of resilience and strategic brilliance. It’s the perfect synergy—like a founder CEO evolving into a professional CEO without losing the original spark. Now, for true tennis connoisseurs: which shoes was I wearing?

In a world where championships are on the line, and multiple pro women racers can win the championship, you can't show up with your B or C game to any races like what happened to her 2021. My main goal for her for those 3 years was really simple, BRING YOUR A-GAME to every race, and she wins. To read more on how we went 3 for 3 on national championships, check out the full article on my blog! https://lnkd.in/gGVtiQiG

The End. Glory or not These days, 2 of the tennis players on the men's side announced that they would end their career. Dominic Thiem and Diego Schwartzman. And of course, almost everyone knows that Rafael Nadal is approaching the finish line, and playing the final tournaments. In parallel, on the lady's side, Danielle Collins also announced that this will be her last season. So for the past few days, I have been reflecting on what the end of someone’s career can look like. And how sometimes it’s not at all connected to the performance of your entire career. Danielle, almost 30 years old (in tennis this is old for a woman), has one of the best seasons of her career. She has a 22-2 win/loss ratio from the beginning of the year, and the only player able to defeat her, is the World No. 2. Nadal is losing in rounds 1 and 2 of the events he plays, and has quite a fragile body that sometimes betrays the grit and dreams he still has. But he is one of the greatest in the history of tennis. Thiem and Schwartzman had a good career, they are at the age when even if older, other men still play competitive tennis, and just lost in the 2nd round of qualifications for Roland Garros. We generally imagine an exit in glory, with an amazing story and excellent results. Joy, fulfillment, fairytale. But irrespective of how our career was, sometimes we cannot control the end, it is a gift… Maybe not the sunniest reflection for a Sun(day), but it puts things in perspective: How will your career end? How much can you control it? What can you do now, that is meaningful for you, career-wise? #performance #growthmindset #life #sunday

Played at the annual Independence Day Tennis tournament. Lost actually! Wasn't too unhappy though! It was a thin line Afterall separating the winners and the losers with three of the games going to Deuce. It was a real close fight! And in sports one wins and the other loses - the competitive spirit matters, doesn't it? Got me thinking - Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz with their recent wins at the Olympics and Wimbledon exemplify the winning attitude. so, what kind of Personality traits do you or me or anyone else need to have to be a winner like them or like Vikas and Rajesh yesterday? And Yes - a Personality Assessment can help identify such Traits (Talent?) and help an Individual build such Traits into his/her Personality.