Asked about the secret to exceeding the assigned target, head coach of the Vietnamese tennis team Truong Quoc Bao expressed: “Before the tournament, I confided to the athletes that: Davis Cup is the honor of the nation. When competing individually, players can be discouraged when they are behind, but when competing in the David Cup, they must be aware that they cannot become a burden to their teammates.”

Coach Truong Quoc Bao (center) with Vietnamese tennis players. Photo: VTF

At the 2023 Davis Cup Group 3 Asia- Pacific region, host Sri Lanka took advantage of the competition on clay courts - a court where Vietnamese athletes have little experience. In addition, the Vietnamese tennis team did not have the strongest force participating in the tournament when key players Ly Hoang Nam and Trinh Linh Giang were absent. To solve the above difficulties, Coach Truong Quoc Bao has promoted discipline in training and competition. Growing up in the military environment, currently holding the rank of Major, Deputy Director of the National Defense Sports Center 2 (Military Region 7), Coach Truong Quoc Bao understands that: Discipline is strength.

During the competition in Sri Lanka, Coach Truong Quoc Bao set out his own rules, requiring athletes not to disclose information about internal meetings to the club or the press. Anyone who violates will be reprimanded or disciplined. Another example is his regulations on training and living hours. Any athlete who is late or has an opposing attitude will be immediately disciplined.

Before issuing the regulations, Coach Truong Quoc Bao asked for the opinion of the leaders of the Vietnam Tennis Federation, then had the athletes sign a commitment. The management method is strict and rigid, but it has received the consensus of the athletes. Coach Truong Quoc Bao said: "Professional athletes often suffer from "star" disease, so to manage them effectively, I train them to be disciplined. I am just strict and demanding about professional skills."

Acknowledging the contributions of Coach Truong Quoc Bao to the Vietnamese tennis team, Mr. Doan Thanh Tung, General Secretary of the Vietnam Tennis Federation, said: "Truong Quoc Bao has just graduated from the international level 2 tennis coach and has a lot of coaching experience, knows how to observe opponents, grasp the thoughts, psychology, and aspirations of athletes to come up with the best training plan and team management regulations."

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