An Interesting Wimbledon

It has been a while since I posted a comment, but the interesting happenings at Wimbledon make the perfect opportunity.

As usual I will attempt to comment on things that can teach us all how to be better players.

Forgetting the 70-68 match, which is a lifetime of discussion, the thing that has struck me about this years Men's matches is the closeness of the matches in the early rounds.

So many 4 and 5 set matches between top seeds and low ranked or even qualifier level players.

Federers match against Falla is a good case in point and two wonderful lessons for us "mortals" to learn:

1/ Most tennis matches are close, even if the score doesn't indicate that. It is really rare, unless there is an obvious disparity in levels, for matches to be blow-outs. This holds true at every level from around 3.5 up to the top.

The difference between winning and losing is razor thin differences.

This has been my observation since I started playing tennis and has held true until today.

What does this mean?

First, we must hold our focus. Allowing one little distraction costing us as little as one point can make the difference.

Second, unfailingly do the things that are under our control. This is something I talk about regularly.

For example, our opponents skill level may be so great that I can't return his shots, but that doesn't (and shouldn't) mean that I can have my racquet up and ready, or run after every ball even if it is to just get it back over the net. Or, as I mentioned previously, to stay in the match (stay focused).

Maybe these small little things that are under our control won't win every match, but you'll be surprised at how many they will win, especially if it is close.

This is execution at crunch time. Something winners do.

2/ Staying with "their game":

If you watched Federer in both of his close first two rounds, you would have noticed that Federer didn't vary from his style of play.

I am sure 1000's of 3.5 "tactical experts" around the world were yelling at their TV's for Federer to change his game, as they would.

Federer knew better. This is his game, he has to stick with it. Slowly he wore down the "nothing to lose" opponent until his opponent lost some of the zip on their shots and thus Federer started having ever better and better looks at the ball.

Learn from the greatest of all time.