The word compete comes from the Latin root com which means...
Brad Stulberg@BStulberg
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Sep 08, 2025
~2 min read
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The word compete comes from the Latin root com which means “together“ and petere which means “to rise up.” In its truest form, competition is about rising up together.
It's a remarkable lesson for tennis, for sport, and really, for all of life.
It's a remarkable lesson for tennis, for sport, and really, for all of life.
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Let's talk about competition—not the pseudo, hustle-culture variety but the real thing.
Carlos Alcaraz just beat Jannik Sinner to win the US Open. A few months prior, Sinner beat Alcaraz to win Wimbledon. Mere weeks before that, Alcaraz topped Sinner to win the French Open.
Carlos Alcaraz just beat Jannik Sinner to win the US Open. A few months prior, Sinner beat Alcaraz to win Wimbledon. Mere weeks before that, Alcaraz topped Sinner to win the French Open.
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These two athletes are in an incredible rivalry.
They bring out the best in each other.
Watching them play is like art.
In my years working with high performers, one of the foremost lessons I’ve learned: nothing makes you better than the people you step into the arena with.
They bring out the best in each other.
Watching them play is like art.
In my years working with high performers, one of the foremost lessons I’ve learned: nothing makes you better than the people you step into the arena with.
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Just moments after winning the US Open, Alcaraz went to centre court and said this:
“Wow. I want to start with Jannik. It is unbelievable what you have done this season. You show a great level at every tournament. I see you more than my family. It’s great to share the court and the locker room with you.”
“Wow. I want to start with Jannik. It is unbelievable what you have done this season. You show a great level at every tournament. I see you more than my family. It’s great to share the court and the locker room with you.”
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Contrast this with one of the most harmful myths of hustle-culture greatness is that everyone is out to get you, that you can’t respect your competition.
But it is utter nonsense.
But it is utter nonsense.
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The best performers in the world compete with a ferocity, intensity, and focus that most cannot even imagine. They want to win badly. They lay it on the line. Yet they also have deep respect for their opponents. They are in the arena together. They make each other better.
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Research shows if you are in close proximity to a high-performer, your own performance improves by 15%.
Motivation and drive are contagious. We are mirrors. The people with whom we surround ourselves shape us, and we shape them too.
It’s true for the people we work with.
But it’s also true for the people we compete against.
Motivation and drive are contagious. We are mirrors. The people with whom we surround ourselves shape us, and we shape them too.
It’s true for the people we work with.
But it’s also true for the people we compete against.
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On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka topped Amanda Anisimova in a gutsy final.
Sabalenka is the best in the world.
She plays like a destroyer.
Here’s what she said to Anisimova following the match:
“I know how much it hurts to lose in the finals...you play incredible tennis, Girl you are going to enjoy [winning] even more after these tough losses.”
Sabalenka is the best in the world.
She plays like a destroyer.
Here’s what she said to Anisimova following the match:
“I know how much it hurts to lose in the finals...you play incredible tennis, Girl you are going to enjoy [winning] even more after these tough losses.”
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Genuine excellence—not the hustle-culture grift—does not mean hating your competition or winning at all costs.
It means doing everything you can to get the best out of yourself and to come out on top, with class and integrity.
It means doing everything you can to get the best out of yourself and to come out on top, with class and integrity.
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It’s realizing that loving competition often means loving your competitors.
It’s fierce intensity.
It’s deep respect.
It’s rising up together.
It’s fierce intensity.
It’s deep respect.
It’s rising up together.