Three Words That Changed the Way I See Opponents

Unfortunately, we live in a time when the result is often what matters most and we tend to forget that it’s our opponents who make it possible for us to even play the game...

Once, at a tournament, I accidentally overheard one of my players through the thin walls of a hotel room saying something like, “Hey, Mňuk always thanks the opponents for the game…” It was probably a reference to the opening line of every one of my post-game interviews. I don’t recall whether it was said with a smile or a bit of teasing, but in that moment, I paused for a second and thought about why I actually do it.

I remembered a specific moment from 2022. It was during the CEYBL tournament in Wrocław, at a time when basketball was slowly coming back after the COVID break. With our 2008 boys’ team, we finally had the chance to take part in a bigger basketball event again, something we were all really looking forward to. That evening, after the games, I played back some post-game interviews. I listened to ours first, and then to the opponent’s. Our opponents that day were our “brothers” from Sereď, Slovakia. The first to speak was a player, who briefly evaluated the match, and then it was the coaches turn. And that’s when he said the three words that have stayed with me ever since:

“Ďakujem a gratulujem súperi.”(“Thank you and congratulations, opponent.”)

Three simple words, yet they carried enormous power. The coach wasn’t talking about the result, making excuses, or bragging. He simply showed respect for his opponents and for the game itself. In that moment, it deeply resonated with me. I realized how much I appreciated that kind of attitude. I told myself I’d like to be perceived the same way. Not because I hadn’t respected my opponents before, but because it feels completely different when you say it out loud, when you actually thank your opponent for the game.

From that moment on, I started opening all my post-game interviews by thanking the opponent or congratulating them on their victory. Not because it sounds nice, but because I genuinely want to show appreciation for the game we’ve just played together. I believe it’s a symbol of respect that should be part of every sport, and I’m still grateful for this lesson, one that the opposing coach unknowingly taught me that day.