Patience can be your biggest enemy in one way, because if you're

Jannik Sinner once reflected with honesty and depth: “Patience can be your biggest enemy in one way, because if you're not that patient, you rush in one way, and then you forget maybe some steps that you should do to become a better player, to become better physically.” These words are not only about the game of tennis, but about the rhythm of growth itself. In them lies a paradox: patience, so often a virtue, can betray you when it is absent, driving you to rush forward before you are ready, to skip the foundation stones upon which greatness is built.

The origin of this insight comes from Sinner’s own journey as a young prodigy rising in the world of tennis. Trained first as a skier before turning to the court, he advanced quickly, gifted with talent and speed. Yet he also came to understand that talent alone is not enough. Without the deliberate discipline of growth—developing physical strength, refining technique, and learning the nuances of the sport—one risks being consumed by the very hunger that drives ambition. His words are a reminder to all who strive: rushing forward without the discipline of patience can undo the very dream you seek to fulfill.

History offers us many examples of this truth. Consider the story of Icarus from ancient myth, who rushed headlong into the sky with wings of wax. In his impatience to soar higher, he forgot the careful steps of caution taught by his father. The result was his downfall, for desire without discipline leads to ruin. In the same way, athletes, artists, and leaders who attempt to leap past their preparation often find themselves undone, not by lack of ability, but by the absence of patience in the journey.

Yet, there is wisdom in balance, for Sinner does not glorify endless waiting either. He warns that when patience is lacking, one may “forget some steps” crucial to growth. This is the hidden danger of the ambitious soul: to seek the summit before mastering the climb. Each small step—the training, the discipline, the strengthening of body and mind—is not wasted time but the forge of mastery. To miss these is to build upon sand, and though success may come for a moment, it will not endure.

Sinner’s reflection can also be applied beyond the tennis court. In studies, in careers, in relationships, many rush to arrive at the end without fully embracing the journey. A student who memorizes but does not understand will stumble later. A builder who ignores the foundation for the sake of speed will see the house collapse. A leader who rises too quickly without wisdom will falter under the weight of responsibility. Impatience robs the future by stealing from the present.

The lesson here is both cautionary and motivational: do not despise the small steps, for they are the ones that make you strong. True progress is not measured by how quickly you arrive, but by how deeply you have built. Just as a tree cannot skip the slow work of sinking its roots, so too must every human endeavor be grounded in preparation. Patience, rightly practiced, is the guardian of endurance. Impatience, when it causes neglect, is the thief of destiny.

Practical action flows from this truth. Whatever path you pursue, honor the process. Train the body steadily, refine the skill diligently, and build your foundations with care. Do not rush past today in your hunger for tomorrow. Instead, learn to see each step as sacred, each effort as essential. When the time of testing comes—whether on the court, in the field, or in life—you will stand strong, not because you rushed, but because you prepared.

Thus, let Jannik Sinner’s words echo as guidance: patience can be enemy or ally, depending on how you wield it. To lack it is to stumble over forgotten steps; to cultivate it is to prepare yourself for lasting greatness. Walk the path with endurance, O children of the future, for only those who honor each step shall endure to the summit.