5 Lessons To Learn From Lleyton
Lleyton Hewitt lost to Roger Federer in the semifinals of the Cincinnati Masters Series with the 6-3, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (1) score.
Although Lleyton lost, there were some interesting lessons in how he played Roger and almost beat the current nr.1 player in the world.
1. He was not afraid of the name. Roger Federer is not only a BIG name in tennis, he also behaves like it.
He walks and moves confidently and you can feel his calmness.
But Lleyton Hewitt is experienced enough not to lose to a name.
2. He attacked the attacker. The general playing style of Hewitt is being a steady counter-puncher. But since Lleyton has lost to Federer 11 straight times he was willing to get out of his comfort zone and put the attacker (Roger) on defense.
3. Playing one-handed backhand slice is no secret to him. There were times 5 and more years ago when Lleyton had difficulties handling very low and fast sliced balls from his opponent.
He tried to hit them with his two-handed backhand but had trouble getting under the ball.
But now his one-handed backhand slice is so good, that he can easily exchange cross court backhand slice shots with an expert in one-handed backhands.
4. Facing a match point is not the end. Lleyton faced a match point in the second set tie-breaker and later in the 10th game of the third set and both times managed to save them.
The key is to play that crucial point aggressively; trying to use your strength against your opponent’s weakness.
5. Even when you lose, there is something positive in it.
“As I keep saying, the guys that have beaten me in the last few months have been the best players in the world, in the top two or three.
I’m obviously doing something right. It’s just trying to get that breakthrough against the big names.”
Focusing on the negative will not make you better. Motivation and confidence come from improving and getting closer to your goal so try and find those things in your losses.
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August 23rd, 2007 at 1:25 pm
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