THE GAME OF PERSEVERANCE
The new book published in 2025 available on
The concept of perseverance is often evoked as a moral or character quality, but it is rarely analyzed in terms of a trainable skill, integrated into a path of individual development. This book was created precisely with the intention of exploring perseverance as a key soft skill in the growth of an athlete, and more generally, of a person who aspires to improve themselves through discipline and awareness.
In my professional journey as a coach and trainer, I have tried to combine daily practice on the field with the contributions of authoritative scholars of learning, sports psychology, and performance. The theories of Anders Ericsson on deliberate practice, those of Angela Duckworth on the concept of grit, as well as the reflections of Phil Stutz and Steve Peters on managing the inner self, have become constant references in my work. Added to these are the researches of Richard Schmidt on motor variability and those of Howard Gardner on multiple intelligences, which offer a more articulated perspective on individual potential.
Perseverance, in this context, is not simply passive resistance to obstacles, but an adaptive strategy based on four fundamental pillars: gratitude,
acceptance of suffering, tolerance of uncertainty, and trust in consistent work. These aspects are addressed not only through theoretical reflections, but also through concrete cases experienced in the world of professional tennis, with athletes who have been able to transform critical moments into turning points.
The book is aimed at players, coaches, physical trainers, sports psychologists, and anyone interested in understanding the deep mechanisms of learning and continuous improvement. The deliberately hybrid language — between personal narrative, theoretical quotations, and practical references — reflects the intention to “connect the dots” between scientific knowledge and lived experience, between reflection and action.
The game of perseverance is, ultimately, an invitation not to give up on your own process, even when results are slow to arrive. Because true strength does not lie in isolated talent, but in the ability to invest in your own improvement with method, patience, and clarity.
Gianluca Carbone