On Sunday, tennis legend Roger Federer was awarded an honorary doctorate by Dartmouth College in the US. In his memorable commencement address, Federer shared valuable life lessons, emphasizing that “effortless” is a myth. He explained that his success is not merely due to talent but the result of years of hard work and dedication.
Roger Federer’s 25-minute commencement speech, filled with valuable life lessons, is being widely celebrated and considered one for the history books.
At 42, Federer received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree for his philanthropic contributions. Speaking to the Class of 2024, he humorously mentioned that this was only the second time he’d ever been on a college campus. The Swiss tennis legend then shared three important life lessons he had learned throughout his career.
Roger Federer on Effortless” is a myth
Roger Federer began by debunking the myth of “effortless” performance. “I’ve often heard people describe my play as effortless, and while it’s usually meant as a compliment, it used to frustrate me.
Comments like ‘He barely broke a sweat!’ missed the truth,” he said. Federer explained that he worked incredibly hard to make his game look easy.
He admitted to spending years struggling, complaining, and losing his temper before mastering his composure.
His success, he emphasised, was not just due to natural talent but to his relentless effort to outwork his opponents.
Do watch this inspiring speech by Roger Federer on lessons from his life, couple of days back. His wisdom extends far beyond the tennis court, offering valuable insights for all of us:
1. Effortless is a Myth: What felt like his seemingly effortless play was the result of years… pic.twitter.com/PDCAOYyiWw
— Divya Mittal (@divyamittal_IAS) June 11, 2024
‘It’s only a point’
Roger Federer’s second life lesson focused on the perspective of “It’s only a point.” Reflecting on his defeat to Rafael Nadal at the Wimbledon 2008 finals, he shared how he dealt with the loss.
“I experienced giving my all and still coming up short,” he said. Despite losing Wimbledon and his number-one ranking, Federer remained determined to persevere.
He acknowledged the speculation about his career but remained focused on continuing to work hard and compete.
‘Life is bigger than the court’
In his third life lesson, Roger Federer emphasised that “Life is bigger than the court.” Reflecting on his extensive time spent on the tennis court, he acknowledged that while it was a significant part of his life, it was only a small fraction of the world.
Federer stressed the importance of maintaining a balanced life beyond tennis, filled with travel, cultural experiences, friendships, and family.
He spoke passionately about his love for travel, not just for leisure but also for his philanthropic endeavors, highlighting the importance of giving back to the world beyond the confines of the court.
