Nadja Manjón Mihalic, a former professional tennis player, reflects on her journey in sports and the harsh realities faced by aspiring athletes. She highlights the incredibly low percentage of athletes who succeed in turning their passion into a profession, noting that in Spain, only about 0.15% of soccer players make it to the professional level, while for tennis, the figure stands at less than 1%. This statistic underscores the competitive nature of sports and the challenges faced by many who strive to reach the elite levels.

Manjón Mihalic elaborates on the various factors that contribute to the high dropout rate among aspiring athletes, including genetic predisposition, injuries, lack of support, and the immense pressure present during critical moments. Many promising athletes find themselves struggling to break into the professional ranks, leading to numerous disappointments and unfulfilled dreams. The reality is stark—while the desire and determination may be present, the path to professional sport is fraught with barriers.

Ultimately, her narrative serves as a cautionary tale, shedding light on the complexities and the often-unrecognized struggles that lie behind the pursuit of a professional sports career. It urges aspiring athletes and their families to understand that success is not guaranteed and to consider their futures beyond sports, highlighting the need for broader support systems for those who dedicate themselves to trying to make it in the highly competitive arena of professional sports.