5 Things You Can Learn From Roger Federer (Even If You Don't Play Tennis)
I don't play tennis. My husband does. And that's how we ended up at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California this week as part of a West coast vacation.
This major tournament provides fans with a unique opportunity throughout a week's worth of playoffs to walk from court to court and stand at the sidelines watching while the game's top names practice and play – Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal – Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova. And Roger Federer, of course.
The competition at this level of tennis is fierce, players on the way up the ladder, others trying to maintain their position. But at this particular tournament, there has been another variable testing the mettle of some of the players: flu.
Word of the flu bug started to circulate on our second day at the tournament, and it became fact for our family when our fifteen-year old daughter woke up in the middle of the night with it.
Rumor had it that the flu had hit the Federer household as well, and anyone hoping to see Federer play couldn't help but wonder if he would end up dropping out of the tournament as some nine other players already had.
But on Tuesday night, Roger Federer arrived at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden to take on the 6' 5" Canadian Milos Raonic who can fire off serves at 140 mph plus. If the flu rumors were true, it would be easy to surmise that the odds might not be in Federer's favor for this match. But to watch him walk out on the court was to see a real professional in action, a guy there to bring his best game and get the job done.
And whether we're talking about tennis or any endeavor we choose to take on, there's some real wisdom to be learned from Roger Federer.
Show up with the tools in your toolbox. Whatever our chosen profession or passion, there's no getting around doing the prep work, putting in the time it takes to really get good at something. It's been said that anyone at the top of their field has spent at least 10,000 hours doing what they do. Playing the guitar. Writing songs or novels. When it comes to tennis, Roger Federer has clearly put in his 10,000 hours.
Ignore the hype regarding your opponent or competition. In Federer's Indian Wells match against Milos Raonic, there was plenty of commentator attention paid to the fact that the up and coming Canadian player is a physical force. And at 6'5", he no doubt appeared an intimidating opponent on the other side of the court. Not to mention that he's also reputed to have a very high tennis IQ. But Federer's composure and rock solid cool were never more apparent. And never more of an asset.
Focus while it matters. Whatever it is we hope to achieve, there are certain times when our focus matters. When it pays to laser in and give the effort everything we've got. Federer's game is the perfect visual example of this. During the time he's there on that court, he's there 100 percent. That's what it takes to win. When it matters, give it 100 percent.
Know what you do best and use it at every opportunity. We each have strengths and weaknesses. Federer knows his killer shots and has a gift for waiting for and knowing the moments to use them.
Don't ever count yourself out. Facing a major tournament knowing you've been exposed to the flu would have to put a twig or two of doubt in the most confident person's mind. As real life goes, we can usually find a reason to think we might not be up to our best. Worry is a wasted emotion. When it counts, go at your best game as if it's right at your fingertips. If you believe it, others will, too.
