You don’t need to win every point, to win the match

Embracing a “next point” mentality

Written by Jenna, Edited by Jess

As a tennis fan, the summer is a particularly fun time as Grand Slam season is in full swing! When professional tennis is at its peak, I often think about one of my favorite players, Roger Federer.

Though now retired, Roger is a player I have admired since my own junior tennis days. Not only did he glide across the court like a ballerina, his grace, composure, and sportsmanship were equally beautiful to watch. Roger was Dartmouth’s commencement speaker back in 2024, and he shared a remarkable statistic in his speech that I often think about:

Despite winning nearly 80% of his career matches, he only won 54% of the points he played.

So while a player like Roger may have appeared close to flawless, nearly half the points did not go his way. There were errors in his shots or moments where his opponent simply came up with something better. It was a powerful reminder that mistakes, setbacks, and missed opportunities are inevitable. What made him an all-time great wasn’t that he played perfectly, it was his ability to maintain a short memory and move on to the next point.

As a former collegiate tennis player, Federer’s statistic especially struck me. If you have played tennis, you know the sport can feel like mental gymnastics. I still vividly remember matches where one missed shot or double fault felt enormous in the moment. Especially as a teenager, it was easy to spiral - replaying mistakes, carrying frustration into the next game, the next set, sometimes the entire match!

Reflecting on my work today, I often see this same dynamic show up. In working with smart and incredibly high-achieving individuals, it can be easy to beat ourselves up when things don’t quite pan out as hoped. An interview that didn’t convert. An unanswered networking email. A job post unexpectedly closed before getting the chance to apply. Understandably, those moments can spark the spiral - replaying conversations, second-guessing ourselves, wondering what we should have done differently. But just like in tennis, one point never determines the match. Sometimes the point that shifts momentum comes right after the one that didn’t go our way!

I hope this Glimmer reminds you that perfection is not required. One setback, missed opportunity, or rejection does not define your game. Reset, trust yourself, and keep playing the next point!

Next Steps:

• Where might perfectionism be keeping you stuck right now? What would shift if you focused less on winning every point, and more on staying in the match?

• This week, practice a “next point” mentality. When something doesn’t go as planned, pause, reset, and ask yourself: What is the next best step forward?