--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is so difficult when you are out for a…" description: "\"It is so difficult when you are out for a year, not just because you are not playing, but because other players are still playing. They are in competit..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ea/juan-martin-del-potro-6769_competition_it-is-so-difficult-when-you-are-out-for_3232677.jpg" --- # It is so difficult when you are out for a year, not just… ![“It is so difficult when you are out for a year, not just because you are not playing, but because other players are still playing. They are in competition all the time, so when you come in again and try to play them at the same level, with the same intensity, it is very hard.” quote by Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ea/juan-martin-del-potro-6769_competition_it-is-so-difficult-when-you-are-out-for_3232677.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ea/juan-martin-del-potro-6769_competition_it-is-so-difficult-when-you-are-out-for_3232677.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ea/juan-martin-del-potro-6769_competition_it-is-so-difficult-when-you-are-out-for_3232677.jpg) > “It is so difficult when you are out for a year, not just because you are not playing, but because other players are still playing. They are in competition all the time, so when you come in again and try to play them at the same level, with the same intensity, it is very hard.” [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Returning after a long break is hard because competitors keep improving while you lose practice and confidence. **In simple terms:** Long absences make competition tougher; staying sharp is essential. Key Takeaway Maintain consistent training and mental focus during breaks. Themes sports competition injury resilience training psychology Mood determined reflective motivational Type advice psychological sports When to use this quote - rehabilitation programs - regular skill drills - mental coaching - peer sparring Key Concepts skill retention mental toughness career longevity Questions to Reflect On - What routines keep you sharp during downtime? - How can mental preparation offset physical gaps? A Different Perspective Physical recovery alone may not restore competitive edge. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Competition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [The course is playing the players instead of the players playing the course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-hagen/the-course-is-playing-the-players-instead-of-the-players-playing-the/) [Walter Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-hagen/) > [I play football in training all the time with my male friends, who are also professionals. But playing together in competition? I just don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marta/i-play-football-in-training-all-the-time-with-my-male-friends-who-are/) [Marta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marta/) > [I've written several deeply personal songs this year, which I really love. Some of them came out of intense sadness. This has been an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-friedman/i-ve-written-several-deeply-personal-songs-this-year-which-i-really/) [David Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-friedman/) > [I mean, the country is deeply divided. There is 35 percent of the people who are Tea Partiers or more in some of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-carson/i-mean-the-country-is-deeply-divided-there-is-35-percent-of-the/) [Brad Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-carson/) > [All Labour supporters and politicians know that winning elections is extremely difficult, but my first year as mayor of London has taught me that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadiq-khan/all-labour-supporters-and-politicians-know-that-winning-elections-is/) [Sadiq Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadiq-khan/) > [During that year with Madrid, I learned many things; I matured a lot. It was a difficult year because many non-sporting things were happening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-niguez/during-that-year-with-madrid-i-learned-many-things-i-matured-a-lot-it/) [Saul Niguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-niguez/) > [“To perceive Christmas through its wrapping becomes more difficult with every year. "The Distant Music of the Hounds," 1954”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-b-white-2/to-perceive-christmas-through-its-wrapping-becomes-more-difficult/) [E.B. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-b-white-2/) > [Winning the championship becomes more difficult every year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-alaba/winning-the-championship-becomes-more-difficult-every-year/) [David Alaba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-alaba/) > [2020 has been a difficult year for all of us. The gun at hand was to symbolize that bigger battles need to be fought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jubin-nautiyal/2020-has-been-a-difficult-year-for-all-of-us-the-gun-at-hand-was-to/) [Jubin Nautiyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jubin-nautiyal/) > [In the Netherlands, we have had a difficult year and we are now getting out of this difficulty. So we have now growth prospects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rutte/in-the-netherlands-we-have-had-a-difficult-year-and-we-are-now/) [Mark Rutte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rutte/) > [A very difficult year is ahead of us. We must continue our efforts with decisiveness, to stay in the euro, to make sure we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-papademos/a-very-difficult-year-is-ahead-of-us-we-must-continue-our-efforts/) [Lucas Papademos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucas-papademos/) > [There was still food rationing in England and life was difficult all through my 2 year stay in Oxford.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-brenner/there-was-still-food-rationing-in-england-and-life-was-difficult-all/) [Sydney Brenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-brenner/) > [To perceive Christmas through its wrappings becomes more difficult with every year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-b-white/to-perceive-christmas-through-its-wrappings-becomes-more-difficult/) [E. B. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-b-white/) > [I think I'm the sort of player who tries to get my teammates playing, get those players around me playing, and tries to help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-almiron/i-think-i-m-the-sort-of-player-who-tries-to-get-my-teammates-playing/) [Miguel Almiron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-almiron/) > [I've gained a lot of experience playing with some of the top players in the world from different countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-horan/i-ve-gained-a-lot-of-experience-playing-with-some-of-the-top-players/) [Lindsey Horan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-horan/) ## More by Juan Martin del Potro > [I am trying to be a good person every day and do what my parents teach me when I was a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/i-am-trying-to-be-a-good-person-every-day-and-do-what-my-parents/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [Sometimes in tournaments I'll see Argentinians with Boca shirts and flags and that gives me a boost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/sometimes-in-tournaments-i-ll-see-argentinians-with-boca-shirts-and/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [It's not easy for the players change the racquet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/it-s-not-easy-for-the-players-change-the-racquet/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [When you play semifinals on a Grand Slam, anything can happen, so you must be ready for the chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/when-you-play-semifinals-on-a-grand-slam-anything-can-happen-so-you/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [Well, I think the indoors conditions are perfect. You don't have wind, sun, anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/well-i-think-the-indoors-conditions-are-perfect-you-don-t-have-wind/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [When you have chances against the top guys, and you couldn't make it, then they take advantage of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/when-you-have-chances-against-the-top-guys-and-you-couldn-t-make-it/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [I like to play big battles with other guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/i-like-to-play-big-battles-with-other-guys/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [When I was a kid, I mix watching soccer and the U.S. Open, that's it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/when-i-was-a-kid-i-mix-watching-soccer-and-the-u-s-open-that-s-it/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [Sometimes you feel you are never going to be the same again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/sometimes-you-feel-you-are-never-going-to-be-the-same-again/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [It's not easy to feel like a local player all over the world and that's how I feel. It's incredible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/it-s-not-easy-to-feel-like-a-local-player-all-over-the-world-and-that/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [The money, the pictures, the fans following you everywhere you can have everything you want. There are different temptations every time, but you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/the-money-the-pictures-the-fans-following-you-everywhere-you-can-have/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [I really appreciate everyone who cheers for me all around the world at every tournament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/i-really-appreciate-everyone-who-cheers-for-me-all-around-the-world/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [When I feel that confidence to do my best shots, I know I can be dangerous for all the guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/when-i-feel-that-confidence-to-do-my-best-shots-i-know-i-can-be/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [Many fans give me too much love on court, off court as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/many-fans-give-me-too-much-love-on-court-off-court-as-well/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [Miami has a big Argentinian, how you say, society, living here, so I meet them everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/miami-has-a-big-argentinian-how-you-say-society-living-here-so-i-meet/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) [Explore all 97 Juan Martin del Potro quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) ## More Competition quotes > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [People think that the Club World Cup is an easy competition, but it's not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keylor-navas/people-think-that-the-club-world-cup-is-an-easy-competition-but-it-s/) [Keylor Navas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keylor-navas/) > [If you ask another competitor, they may tell you they felt very competitive towards me. But I can tell you that my biggest competition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-kwan/if-you-ask-another-competitor-they-may-tell-you-they-felt-very/) [Michelle Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-kwan/) > [“At times, competition can be a good thing. But a person's value isn't something that can be ranked, is it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hotaru-odagiri/at-times-competition-can-be-a-good-thing-but-a-person-s-value-isn-t/) [Hotaru Odagiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hotaru-odagiri/) > [Our competition has always been anything that is wasting your time when you're bored at work. In a broad sense. We want people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-ohanian/our-competition-has-always-been-anything-that-is-wasting-your-time/) [Alexis Ohanian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-ohanian/) > [I've always considered making it legal for Americans to import their prescription drugs a free-trade issue. Imports create competition and keep domestic industry more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-grassley/i-ve-always-considered-making-it-legal-for-americans-to-import-their/) [Chuck Grassley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-grassley/) > [Honestly, we’ll compete with everybody. I love competition. As long as people invent their own stuff, I love competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/honestly-we-ll-compete-with-everybody-i-love-competition-as-long-as/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [The "health, education, and welfare" section of government is another boondoggle. First we manufacture indigent and superfluous people by legal monopolies in land, money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurance-labadie/the-health-education-and-welfare-section-of-government-is-another/) [Laurance Labadie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurance-labadie/) > [I try to keep up with everything - all wrestling across the board. I want to know what the competition is doing, what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hardy/i-try-to-keep-up-with-everything-all-wrestling-across-the-board-i/) [Matt Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hardy/) > [Sometimes in England, people look down at the Europa League, but being from the continent, I've always realised what an important competition it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mignolet/sometimes-in-england-people-look-down-at-the-europa-league-but-being/) [Simon Mignolet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mignolet/) > [“There is a scene in one of the Rocky movies where after the match Apollo Creed and Rocky are waiting for the scoring of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-a-passaro/there-is-a-scene-in-one-of-the-rocky-movies-where-after-the-match/) [John A. Passaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-a-passaro/) > [I've always written. When I was in school, the only teacher who ever liked me was my creative writing teacher. I used to enter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-townes-earle/i-ve-always-written-when-i-was-in-school-the-only-teacher-who-ever/) [Justin Townes Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-townes-earle/) > [Competition between men is a fuel that's useful to us. We have to be careful that it doesn't tell the same story over too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-irwin/competition-between-men-is-a-fuel-that-s-useful-to-us-we-have-to-be/) [Bill Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-irwin/) [Browse all 3,894 Competition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is so difficult when you are out for a year, not just because you are not playing, but because other players are still playing. They are in competition all the time, so when you come in again and try to play them at the same level, with the same intensity, it is very hard.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Juan Martin del Potro" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/it-is-so-difficult-when-you-are-out-for-a-year-not-just-because-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Competition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/it-is-so-difficult-when-you-are-out-for-a-year-not-just-because-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ea/juan-martin-del-potro-6769_competition_it-is-so-difficult-when-you-are-out-for_3232677.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ea/juan-martin-del-potro-6769_competition_it-is-so-difficult-when-you-are-out-for_3232677.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ea/juan-martin-del-potro-6769_competition_it-is-so-difficult-when-you-are-out-for_3232677.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is so difficult when you are out for a year, not just because you are not playing, but because other…” — Juan Martin del Potro", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Juan Martin del Potro", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is so difficult when you...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/it-is-so-difficult-when-you-are-out-for-a-year-not-just-because-you/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/it-is-so-difficult-when-you-are-out-for-a-year-not-just-because-you/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```