The Sports Life: What Wimbledon Can Teach Us About Parenting in Youth Sports

Every July, I find myself glued to Wimbledon. It’s the elegance, the grit, the moments where matches can change on a single shot after hours of mental warfare. But more than the champions lifting trophies, it’s the lessons behind the scenes that matter most, and they translate straight to our car rides home.

I grew up playing tennis. It was one of my first loves before I threw myself into marathons and Ironman triathlons for years. Now, after a long break, I’ve come back to the game. There’s something about stepping back on the court that reminds me why I loved it so much as a kid; the rhythm, the challenge, the solitude, the mental fortitude you need point after point. The grind of it.

I also think of my Dad. Tennis was something we shared. He taught me so much about the game; strategy, respect and how to keep my head when things weren’t going my way. He loved the sport deeply and I feel him with me every time I pick up my racquet. He passed away in June 2024, but watching Wimbledon this year feels like a quiet way to honor him too.

And then there’s the tradition that I love. Those crisp white outfits, the timelessness and the purity of it all. It reminds me that the game, at its core, hasn’t changed. Just like our kids’ games, the real story is about what happens between the ears.

Here are a few reminders Wimbledon gives us as sports parents:

1. Composure is Everything
Watch the best players in the world. They double fault, they shank volleys, they miss easy winners and they reset. It’s not perfection that wins, it’s the ability to stay composed when everything’s falling apart. Same goes for our kids. They’re going to make mistakes. Stay steady for them. Model calm. They’re learning by watching you.

2. The Long Game Wins
No one at Wimbledon is thinking about winning the first point, they’re thinking about how to last five sets in the sun. Progress in youth sports is a long game too. One bad weekend doesn’t matter. One tough season doesn’t define them. Keep the bigger picture in mind.

3. Class Matters More Than Winning
My favorite moments at Wimbledon are when an athlete loses with grace. When they shake hands, thank the crowd and handle defeat with dignity. It reminds me: what matters isn’t the result, but the character they build through the wins and losses. We should be praising that as much as the scoreboard. I always get emotional listening to the players talk to the crowd after a win or a loss.

4. Even the Best Need a Team
Those players may look alone out there, but behind them is a coach, a trainer, a parent, a family. Our kids need that too. They need parents who don’t just push but support, who cheer but don’t suffocate. Who know when to drive them and when to let them breathe.

As you watch Wimbledon, or any big event, remember: the real lessons aren’t in the highlight reel. They’re in how the greats handle pressure, setback, and success. And they’re in how we show up for our kids as they learn to compete, lose, win and try again.

Leah Jantzen is a mental performance and mental health coach, high school guidance counselor and elite endurance athlete. She’s competed at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii and is a multi-time Boston Marathon finisher. Leah is a mom of four kids who play school and club sports and is launching Still in the Game, a community and podcast for active moms. She can be reached at  headcoachleah@gmail.com.