Why Did Brad Gilbert Tell Andre Agassi to Stop Chasing Perfection?

David Senra reads Brad Gilbert telling Andre Agassi that perfectionism was the problem that could end his career early, and that it felt like his father's legacy. Always trying to be perfect meant always falling short, and that wrecked his confidence. A winner on every ball was unnecessary. Steady, consistent tennis would win 90% of the time. Attack the other player's weaknesses. Agassi did not have to be the best in the world every time he went out. He only had to be better than one guy: make that player fail, or let him fail. Keep the ball moving, nice and easy, solid, like gravity.

Chasing perfection, Gilbert said, is chasing something that does not exist, and it makes a player miserable. About five times a year a player wakes up perfect and cannot lose to anybody, but the other times are what make a tennis player, or a human being. If Agassi was 50% in the game and 95% in the head, he would win. If he was 95% in the game and 50% in the head, he would lose. It takes 21 sets to win a slam. Seven matches, best of five, is 21. At the start of a tournament, count backward from 21. Gilbert calls counting backward from 21 positive thinking.