Dearest Darling Friends,

 

When Roger Federer started to deliver the commencement address at Dartmouth College, few people knew they would sit through a talk that would go viral all over the world. And rightly so.

 

One of the greatest tennis players of all time, shared life lessons learnt from the game.

 

The following words from his speech are worth reading again and again and again. And then once again. My expressions are in brackets ( )

 

Roger Federer :

 

In the 1,526 singles matches I played in my career, I won almost 80% of those matches.

 

( Wow !!! )

 

But what percentage of points did I win?

 

54%!

 

( Whatttt ??? Really ??? )

 

In other words, even top ranked tennis players win barely more than half the points they play.

 

(This is incredible)

 

When you lose every second point on average, you learn not to dwell on every shot.

 

(This is zen level of wisdom)

 

You teach yourself to think:

 

‘Okay, I double faulted…it’s only a point.’

 

‘Okay, I came to the net and I got passed again…it’s only a point.’

 

(Dont be too critical of yourself. I see it now Roger)

 

Even a great shot, an overhead backhand smash that ends up on ESPN’s top 10 playlist—that too is just a point.

 

(Don’t get carried away by glories. Stay humble)

 

Here’s why I’m telling you this. When you’re playing a point, it has to be the most important thing in the world. And it is.

 

(Focus. Be in the moment. Another zen level insight)

 

But when it’s behind you, it’s behind you.

 

(Move on)

 

This mindset is crucial — because it frees you to fully commit to the next point with intensity, clarity, and focus.”

 

(Ahaaa. This is the Champion’s secret mindset! Got it!!! )

 

It takes about 2 minutes to see this part of his speech on You Tube. It might take me a life time to inculcate this in my life.

 

As usual Roger, you make it look easy, effortless, graceful and completely doable. Damn you, Roger. We are ordinary mortals here.

 

And we are so glad we have you to guide us volley our way through our life. I pray we hit a few match winners too. And when we mess it up, we will retain our enthusiasm by saying, “It was just a point.”

 

We will then focus on the next opportunity with intensity, clarity and focus! Game ON!

 

Your thoughts, my darling readers?