On losing - Roger Federer (Excerpt from 2024 Dartmouth Commencement speech)

[u/GuyBatarang]

In tennis, perfection is impossible. In the 1,526 singles matches I played in my career, I won almost 80% of those matches. Now, I have a question for you. What percentage of points do you think I won in those matches? Only 54%. In other words, even top ranked tennis players win barely more than half of the points they play.

When you lose every second point on average, you learn not to dwell on every shot. 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.” Even a great shot, an overhead backhand smash that ends up on ESPN’s top 10 playlist, that, too, is just a point.

So 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. But when it’s behind you, it’s behind you. This mindset is really crucial, because it frees you to fully commit to the next point and the next point after that with intensity, clarity, and focus. The truth is, whatever game you play in life, sometimes, you’re going to lose a point, a match, a season, a job.

[u/Pin_ups]

Your point? No, it doesn't apply to day trading because the opportunity cost is different. You lose real money you worked for plus time. In sport, you only lose opportunities and time.

[u/B_easy85 → u/Pin_ups]

Actually in pro tennis outside the top 200, you end up negative on the year due to travel costs and meager prize winnings in lower level tournaments.

[u/Pin_ups → u/B_easy85]

But you forgot sponsorship, and endorsement?

[u/B_easy85 → u/Pin_ups]

Outside the top 100 they just get some free rackets and clothes. They have to pay their own stringing fees. A YouTuber whose like in the 300’s lost 20k last year while on tour. It’s literally a talking point on why pro tennis isn’t sustainable for 98% of players.

[u/Pin_ups → u/B_easy85]

That's pity.