--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My parents always taught me not to be a…" description: "\"My parents always taught me not to be a good tennis player or the best in what I'm doing, but to be polite.\" — Jo-Wilfried Tsonga" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/jo-wilfried-tsonga-5151_always_my-parents-always-taught-me-not-to-be-a_76894.jpg" --- # My parents always taught me not to be a good tennis player… ![“My parents always taught me not to be a good tennis player or the best in what I'm doing, but to be polite.” quote by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/jo-wilfried-tsonga-5151_always_my-parents-always-taught-me-not-to-be-a_76894.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/jo-wilfried-tsonga-5151_always_my-parents-always-taught-me-not-to-be-a_76894.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/jo-wilfried-tsonga-5151_always_my-parents-always-taught-me-not-to-be-a_76894.jpg) > “My parents always taught me not to be a good tennis player or the best in what I'm doing, but to be polite.” [Jo-Wilfried Tsonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-wilfried-tsonga/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prioritizes courtesy over competitive excellence, suggesting character matters more than skill. **In simple terms:** Politeness outweighs performance. Key Takeaway Respect defines success. Themes humility sportsmanship personal values social etiquette character development Mood reflective inspirational Type aphorism advice When to use this quote - team interactions - public speaking - customer service - conflict resolution - leadership training Key Concepts interpersonal behavior self‑identity success metrics Practical Applications - coaching programs - ethical leadership workshops Questions to Reflect On - How does courtesy influence long‑term relationships? - Can excellence exist without humility? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents/) [Polite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polite/) [Tennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tennis/) [Tennis player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tennis-player/) ## Related quotes > [My parents taught me not to complain, to always go forward. 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Of course I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-d-much-rather-people-knew-me-as-a-good-tennis-player-than-as-an/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) ## More by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga > [I think Roger Rasheed is helping me to be more serious. Also, he can convey his passion for tennis. He loves the game. Also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-wilfried-tsonga/i-think-roger-rasheed-is-helping-me-to-be-more-serious-also-he-can/) [Jo-Wilfried Tsonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-wilfried-tsonga/) > [Sometimes you cannot do anything because the guy in front of you is playing well and he's doing the right things to make you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-wilfried-tsonga/sometimes-you-cannot-do-anything-because-the-guy-in-front-of-you-is/) [Jo-Wilfried Tsonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-wilfried-tsonga/) > [Well, I like characters, players with personality, I don't like flat people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-wilfried-tsonga/well-i-like-characters-players-with-personality-i-don-t-like-flat/) [Jo-Wilfried Tsonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-wilfried-tsonga/) > [All I want to do is to play my tennis and try to do the best possible on the court.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-wilfried-tsonga/all-i-want-to-do-is-to-play-my-tennis-and-try-to-do-the-best-possible/) [Jo-Wilfried Tsonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-wilfried-tsonga/) > [When I need to get into details, I like French. 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That causes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-wilfried-tsonga/when-you-play-a-big-server-you-are-under-enormous-pressure-on-your/) [Jo-Wilfried Tsonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-wilfried-tsonga/) > [I like to play against Juan Monaco.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-wilfried-tsonga/i-like-to-play-against-juan-monaco/) [Jo-Wilfried Tsonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-wilfried-tsonga/) > [I'm very different on the court than outside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-wilfried-tsonga/i-m-very-different-on-the-court-than-outside/) [Jo-Wilfried Tsonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-wilfried-tsonga/) > [I enjoy playing on grass and I enjoy being in London.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-wilfried-tsonga/i-enjoy-playing-on-grass-and-i-enjoy-being-in-london/) [Jo-Wilfried Tsonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-wilfried-tsonga/) [Explore all 103 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-wilfried-tsonga/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. 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