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KUALA LUMPUR – The Tennis Development Week 2026, organised by Duta International Tennis Academy in collaboration with Florida’s world-renowned IMG Academy, highlighted the crucial balance between elite athletic training and personal growth.
The session gave parents and young student-athletes an insight into IMG Academy’s world-class facilities and its holistic approach to athlete development, which combines immersive on-campus training with flexible online learning options.
IMG Academy enrolment advisor for Southeast Asia Caramia Sitompul emphasised that sports served as a stepping stone to vast opportunities extending far beyond professional leagues.
She said while pursuing a professional career is a wonderful option, athletic involvement instils essential life skills that open diverse career pathways across business, government, and education.
"There's always pathways through education and then the life skills you take into the real world. Whether it's in business, in government, or in education, there are so many opportunities that come from sports," she said when met at the event.
Addressing how elite institutions managed rigorous training alongside academic expectations, she said IMG Academy utilises a structured 50-50 split between morning and afternoon schedules.
She said student-athletes dedicated half their day to academics and the other half to training on the court, reinforcing the philosophy that individuals must excel equally in both domains.
"It's a 50-50 split because you're called a student-athlete, not just a student and not just an athlete," she added.
When assessing young talent participating in the development week, Sitompul highlighted that character and attitude form the fundamental foundation of success, often outweighing raw technical ability.
She stressed that qualities such as sportsmanship, resilience in the face of defeat and basic respect are essential traits that sports can help develop, ultimately shaping well-rounded individuals both on and off the court.
For local players aiming to meet international standards, she advised a holistic focus that encompasses athletic performance, academic diligence and strong interpersonal skills.
She urged parents to act as supportive listeners and trust the expertise of local coaches, reminding them that every young athlete develops at their own unique pace without the need for excessive pressure.
Sitompul said effective communication and continuous evaluation are crucial to building successful partnerships between local academic institutions and sports academies such as Duta.
She emphasised that by remaining aligned in their shared mission, educational and sports bodies can effectively guide student-athletes through evolving modern pressures to help them win both in sports and in life.
