Arantxa Sánchez Vicario: “Those Who Persevere Win”—Lessons from a Champion at the “The Impossible Ball” Event

ENAE collaborated with the Decyde Forum on the event “The Impossible Ball,” a discussion with Arantxa Sánchez Vicario on effort, resilience, and overcoming challenges, held on October 30 and 31, 2026.

The former world No. 1 tennis player shared in Murcia the experiences that shaped her athletic career—from her earliest training sessions to her greatest victories—and reflected on discipline, mental strength, and the importance of learning from defeats.

Arantxa Sánchez Vicario’s story is one of hard work, perseverance, and a determination that led her to become the world No. 1. Her career was the focus of “La bola imposible”, an event co-hosted by ENAE Business School, held on October 30 at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo de Murcia.

The event was part of the 19th edition of Decyde Talks, organized by the Decyde Culture and Sports Foundation and the Real Sociedad Club de Campo de Murcia, in collaboration with the Carlos Alcaraz Academy.

During her conversation with Fernando Ruiz, a journalist for Eurosport, the former tennis player reflected on her greatest triumphs, as well as the challenges that shaped her path to the elite level. Her story offered insight into the human side of high-performance sports and provided lessons on leadership, managing pressure, and developing talent.

From Practicing Against a Wall to Becoming World No. 1

Before winning Roland Garros and reaching the pinnacle of world tennis, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario was a young girl who spent hours hitting a ball against a wall.

Her childhood was marked by an early passion for tennis and a desire to forge her own identity as an athlete. She grew up in a family deeply involved in the sport and had to work hard to stop being known as “the sister of” and to make a name for herself.

That process required discipline, training, and numerous personal sacrifices. During the talk, she also recalled her time in Germany, where she endured difficult months marked by separation from her family, tears, and the demands of training for high-level competition.

One of the lessons from her story is that talent requires perseverance and a vision sustained over time. Results come through preparation, adaptability, and commitment to one’s goals.

Her victory at Roland Garros—against the odds and media pressure—represented one of the defining moments of her career and confirmed her ability to compete under the most demanding circumstances.

“Whoever Endures Wins”: The Mental Strength Behind Great Results

One of the most telling moments of the conversation came when Arantxa showed the tattoo on her forearm bearing a phrase that sums up her competitive philosophy: “Whoever Endures Wins.”

The tennis player explained the importance of mental resilience and maintaining focus even when circumstances are unfavorable.

Her career offers a concrete example. She reached twelve Grand Slam singles finals, winning four of them. The other eight were also part of her learning process and a career built on the ability to return to competition after a loss.

In her remarks, she specifically highlighted the value of reaching those finals and the work required to remain among the world’s best players for years.

This perspective has direct applications in the professional world. Leading a project, taking on responsibilities, or advancing a career requires learning from results, managing uncertainty, and maintaining sound judgment under pressure.

Mental toughness, perseverance, and the ability to analyze mistakes thus become essential skills both on and off the court.

Talent Management and Pressure in Today’s Sports

The conversation also provided insight into Arantxa Sánchez Vicario’s perspective on the evolution of tennis and the challenges facing today’s generations of players.

The former tennis player reflected on the growing influence of technology, the role of social media, and the public exposure athletes face from an early age.

She also highlighted the importance of having more comprehensive support teams capable of guiding both athletic and personal development. Physical and technical training must be complemented by resources to manage pressure, competitive demands, and moments of difficulty.

She also addressed the disparities in available resources within sports and the need to continue promoting female role models who foster the development of future generations.

Her reflections draw a parallel with people management in organizations: identifying talent is the starting point; developing it requires training, guidance, adequate resources, and long-term goals.

A champion who remains connected to the sport and to future generations

Beyond her competitive career, Arantxa shared her vision for the present and future of Spanish tennis, as well as the role the sport currently plays in her life.

Drawing on her experience as a mother and former athlete, she emphasized the importance of listening to and supporting young people as they develop, while respecting their abilities and aspirations.

She also spoke about her interest in remaining involved in tennis and in sports such as pickleball, a sport that allows her to maintain her connection to competition from a different perspective.

Indeed, the “La bola imposible” program continued on Saturday, October 31, with the Arantxa Pickleball Show, a sports event that featured participatory activities and inclusion initiatives.

Her remarks prompted reflection on the meaning of success: titles represent only part of one’s career, while the lessons learned, the ability to overcome challenges, and the influence on future generations build a legacy that transcends results.

ENAE Business School, Committed to the Values of Sport and Talent Development

ENAE Business School’s sponsorship of “La bola imposible” connects the values of sport with essential skills for academic and professional development.

Discipline, coping with adversity, perseverance, and the ability to learn were some of the key themes of a conversation that linked a world champion’s experience to the challenges of leadership and business management.

Arantxa Sánchez Vicario’s testimony highlighted the importance of combining talent with preparation, embracing difficulties as part of the learning process, and maintaining a long-term vision.

This lesson applies to the development of professionals and executives: continuous preparation, mental fortitude, and the ability to learn from experience are crucial elements for tackling challenges and achieving sustainable goals.