#23: COOPETITION FOR MASTERY AND MATURITY 

In men’s pro tennis, there is a current, dominant, synergistic duo: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner (A/S). Their rivalry and co-opetive relationship can inform any mastery ambition at any level.

COOPETITION?

The term is a combination of competition and cooperation which applies to situations where competitors collaborate for mutual benefit while still competing in other ways. The Prisoner’s Dilemma, a thought experiment from game theory, illustrates how cheating a rival can be a short-term win, but suboptimal for both in the long run. Instead: consistent cooperation creates bigger, win-win, longer-term gains.

RIVALRY STATS

The rivalry between A/S is intense. They have split the championships for the last 8 grand slam tournaments over the past two years. They are at a level above the rest of the players.

Consider their comparative, 2025, stats. Alcaraz narrowly earned the #1 ranking to Sinner’s #2. They both earned about 12K points with #3 back at 5K. Alcaraz won 4 out of 6 tournament finals against Sinner. But, Sinner won the bigger prize-money tournaments to edge Alcaraz’s annual prize-money total by $19.1M to $18.8M. And, both are making insane endorsement incomes thanks to their great-sportsmanship, star-performance rivalry.      

Case in point: on the eve of a tournament (11/7/25) between the top 8 players in the world with a $5.6M check going to the winner, A/S practiced fiercely with each other. While playing a set and a tiebreaker, I saw one highlight point that only these two could have co-created. It didn’t matter who won the point, they both just grinned at each other for making unparalleled, greatness possible. Why would the likely finalists – with millions on the line - give the other previews of a likely showdown?   

COOPETIVE BENEFITS

1. To get better. If you can beat the rest of the field on autopilot, your game will start to slide. If you play flat out against the only other player who can reveal your weaknesses, then those insights are grist for your mastery/improvement mill.
    
2. For the love of playing your best. If you love the game and enjoy playing your best, then you must play your equal or slightly better opponent.    
    
3. To expand the economic industry pie for all including yourself. How A/S are orchestrating their rivalry has boosted - media ratings, ticket sales, prize money, and endorsements – for all tour players. Star power has grown economic benefits in other pro sports too. Gretzky did it for pro hockey, and Caitlin Clark is doing it for women’s pro basketball. Stars sell out their home games for the season and then surge ticket sales at away games. How can you hate a better rival when they come to town if they are boosting your visibility and income too?
    
4. To improve work-ethic virtues and maturity as by-products. No one is born with: a positive-growth mindset; discipline; resilience; equanimity under fire; sincere sportsmanship; and gratitude for coopetive benefits. These qualities grow with tiny-to-ever-bigger, success journeys. Both A/S have stated that they appreciate the other for making them a better - player, person and inspirational role model.    

WHY IS WIN-WIN COOPETITION TOO RARE?

In all competitive arenas, too many competitors have: too much ego; narrow and short-term thinking; and no synergistic vision. They see their space as a static, zero-sum, win-lose world. So, they are jealous of and non-cooperative with rivals.   

For a practical case, consider the lack of - coopetition and mutual, peer support - amongst adolescents. Few understand and follow the following guidelines:

1. You are the company you keep. You are on your way to becoming the average of your 5 closest friends. So, pick ones that will help you to be a better person. Work on improving together.
    
2. To grow you must stretch out of your static, autopilot, comfort zone into your learning zone. This is tough, because you will look like a stumbling beginner, which risks being mocked by insecure, non-achieving bullies. But, everyone must start to fail forward to learn and improve. All top tennis players have failed their way to betterment.
    
3. Choose to improve at something. Then, create a support group that is consciously committed to helping everyone get better. As a team recite the Beginner’s Creed: Beginner's Creed • Stephen Brennan. And, start flailing forward.

How might you co-create more coopetitive relationships and gains?