#27 What winners know

A “tennis life lesson” from Federer that changed my mind and is key to his success on and off the court.

The greatest lessons in life can be learned on a tennis court

Tennis is beautiful yet brutal. It demands impeccable technique, impenetrable mental strength, and superb sportsmanship. Some of my biggest role models are pro tennis players for this reason.

Recently, I learned one of the most remarkable “tennis life lessons” from Roger Federer.

It’s a lesson that surprised me and one I believe all people, especially creators and innovators, need to understand and apply.

Although he retired in 2022, Federer continues to share his wisdom, but now on a different court. This year, he delivered Dartmouth’s commencement speech, where he shared this and other unforgettable lessons.

“It’s just a point”

In tennis and in life, failure is guaranteed at some point. Perfection is impossible.

But here’s the fascinating part:

In the 1,526 singles matches Federer played in his career, he won almost 80% of those matches. However, if you zoom in, the percentage of points he won in each match was only 54%. He barely won more than half of the points he played, and still he is one of the greatest players to ever live.

“When you lose every second point, on average, you learn not to dwell on every shot. You teach yourself to think: OK, I double-faulted. It’s only a point. OK, I came to the net and I got passed again. It’s only a point. Even a great shot, an overhead backhand smash that ends up on ESPN’s Top Ten Plays: that, too, is just a point.”

-Roger Federer

When you’re playing a point, you need to give all your focus and intention. But when it’s done, it’s done. You need this mindset to free yourself and fully commit to the next point.

Federer vs. Nadal at Wimbledon 2008 - It’s said to be the greatest game in tennis history and one of the toughest losses for Federer.

The Takeaway

If you do not learn how to lose, it will be hard to win.

Become a master at overcoming hard moments. The truth is, you’re going to lose—a point, a match, a new venture, a job.

The best are not the best because they always win. They’re the best because they know they’ll lose and have learned how to deal with it in a way that helps them move forward.

When you’re pitching an idea, validating a business concept, or iterating on a project, it is the most important thing. But if you get rejected, if it doesn’t work at first, that moment is behind you.

On to the next point.

Let me know what you think.

It's nice to be back!

-María Albert

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