Goals=Frustration

As I was putting the final revisions on our semifinal game against the Grand Rapids Crew I had the US Open on t.v.  Roger Federer, the #1 player in the world for the last 3 and 1/2 years, vs Andy Roddick, typically #3-5 in the world at any given point.  It was a big match.  Roddick is the US's best player and the US Open is his best event.  Federer is simply the best.  Possibly the best ever.  Besides the French open, where he loses in the final most of the time, he wins everything.  His record against Roddick is 13-1. 

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Watching the match it got me thinking about how you get better as a player.  Tennis is all about reacting to the challenge of your opponent and dealing with the ups and downs of a match.  It is just like goal setting.  You set a goal or give yourself a challenge.  Then you try to reach that goal and at first you will get frustrated. You will get frustrated because, if it is a worthy goal, you wont be able to achieve it without some effort and set backs.  The key is how you react to the frustration.  Frustration is good, it means you are challenged.  But you cannot remain in a state of frustration. Do you become discouraged and give up?  Or do you become more focussed and find the determination to achieve your goal?  Then when you achieve your goal you will find that you want to set new goals and reach new heights.

The formula goes:

Goal= Frustration= Determination (or discouragement)= Achievement of the Goal= Setting of a harder goal- Then Repeat.

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Roddick had prepared hard for this match.  This was the one he wanted to win, and it showed.  Roddick played brilliantly from the start.  His 146mph serves were flying in for points.  He was powerful, playing smart and sticking to his game plan, after points he would get pumped up and look excited.  He was into it.  The only issue was that for every great Roddick point or game, Federer would have a smooth and perfect response. 

It was fun to see the difference between the two players.  Roddick, the underdog, showed tons of energy, emotion and power.  He was going at 100mph the whole time.  Federer, the unquestioned champ, used a variety of shots, showing off his wide range of skill, he used power when he had to but it was not his only weapon.  The only emotion he showed was a mild sign of annoyance when one of his shots didn't go in.  He expected everything to drop for him.

Federer was challenged by Roddick in the match.  But with each game that Roddick won, Federer would simply answer back with a win of his own until he had to win the tie breaks, which he always won. 

Roddice was great to watch.  He gave all he had to give.  But, I loved watching Federer.  Through all the ups and downs of the match he remained cool and confident.  He didn't have to prove that he was powerful all the time.  He did not go at 100mph all the time.  Actually 146mph to be exact. Instead he did what each individual situation called for.  He read the game and he was able to do everything that the game asked of him. 

Roddick took the first two sets to tie breakers with Federer winning both of them and then Federer cruised in the 3rd set.  The underdog had given the champ everything he had and Federer showed why he was the champ by taking everything Roddick had and doing that little extra.  That little something special all through the match.  Then he advanced to the semifinal to face an opponent whom he is 9-0 against and replied to a question about his opponent by saying: ``I've got a pretty good record against him. Never lost,'' Federer said. ``But let's not get ahead of ourselves.''