Last week, I shared Roger Federer’s inspiring Dartmouth commencement address on my weekly newsletter—The 3-Bullet Sunday.
If you haven’t had a chance to watch the full 25-minute video yet, I highly recommend it!
But I also wanted to distill some of the most powerful takeaways and quotes for those short on time.
This speech is packed with wisdom that goes far beyond the tennis court, offering valuable lessons for anyone navigating life’s challenges and triumphs.
Effortless is a myth
Success demands hard work and dedication. Behind anything that looks effortless on stage, are hundreds of hours spent practicing behind the stage. As Federer puts it:
“The truth is, I had to work very hard to make it look easy. I spent years whining, swearing, sorry, throwing my racket before I learned to keep my cool…I didn’t get where I got on pure talent alone. I got there by trying to outwork my opponents…I believed in myself. But belief in yourself has to be earned.“
Redefining talent
Natural talent helps, but it isn’t the sole determinant for success. Grit, discipline, patience, and self-belief are just as crucial:
“Talent has a broad definition. Most of the time, it’s not about having a gift. It’s about having grit. In tennis, like in life, discipline is also a talent. And so is patience. Trusting yourself is a talent. Embracing the process, loving the process is a talent. Managing your life, managing yourself. These can be talents, too. Some people are born with them. Everybody has to work at them.”
Keep moving forward
Winners win because they’re the best at picking themselves up and trying again. In Federer’s words:
“In tennis, as in life, you will lose points, matches, and even entire seasons. The key is to not let these speedbumps bring you down. Accept and learn from your losses, and look forward. It’s natural when you’re down, to doubt yourself and to feel sorry for yourself… But negative energy is wasted energy. You want to become a master at overcoming hard moments. That is, to me, the sign of a champion. The best in the world are not the best because they win every point. It’s because they know they lose again and again and have learned how to deal with it. You accept it, cry it out if you need to, and then force a smile. You move on. Be relentless. Adapt and grow. Work harder. Work smarter.”
Life is bigger than the court
A rewarding life isn’t one-dimensional, and not everything can be put on hold. Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture:
“Even when I was just starting out, I knew that tennis could show me the world. But tennis could never be the world… even when I was in the top five, it was important to me to have a life. A rewarding life, full of travel, culture, friendships, and especially family. I never abandoned my roots. I never forgot where I came from. But I also never lost my appetite to see the very big world.”
I hope these takeaways inspire you as much as they did me. If you have time, watch the full speech. It’s a true gem!
Best,
Thomas