Why Did Roger Federer Say It's Only a Point?

David Senra quotes Roger Federer's Dartmouth commencement address. The opening is not from Christopher Clarey's The Master: The Long Run and Beautiful Game of Roger Federer. Federer's line is that perfection is impossible, and it is only a point. In the 1526 singles matches Federer played, he won almost 80% of the matches and only 54% of the points. Even top-ranked tennis players win barely more than half of the points they play.

Losing every second point on average teaches a player not to dwell on every shot. A double fault is only a point. Coming to the net and getting passed again is only a point. Even an overhead backhand smash that ends up on a top 10 playlist is just a point. While a point is being played, it has to be the most important thing in the world. When the point is behind the player, it is behind the player. That frees a player to commit to the next point. Negative energy is wasted energy. Opponents have self-doubt too. The aim is to become a master at overcoming hard moments.

The best in the world are not the best because they win every point. They know they will lose again and again and have learned how to deal with it. Accept the loss, cry it out if needed, force a smile, move on, stay relentless, adapt, and grow. To Federer, mastering hard moments is the sign of a champion.