When Roger Federer Enters The Zone
Roger Federer won his third round US Open 2007 match against John Isner with a 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 score.
He was having trouble with Isner’s serve who served 9 aces in the first set, had a 72% of the first serve and won 79% of points when the first serve went in.
But something remarkably happened in the second and third set: Federer played 105 points without an unforced error!
He did mention though:
He doesn’t allow me to make an unforced error because he keeps attacking me all the time.
But this would be true for games on Isner’s serve.
When Roger served, he would need to play aggressive tennis to prevent Isner from attacking.
So how did Roger achieve that?
He must have decided for a high percentage play, being aggressive but not going for the lines.
He knew that:
The points go quicker because he doesn’t hang in the points as well as good as other players, but he’s not supposed to.
But the key to such high level of play was that he probably entered the zone.
The zone is that state of mind, where you effortlessly achieve full concentration.
That’s when your mind and body work in complete harmony and you are able to play your best tennis.
One of the keys to entering the zone is total commitment to a certain strategy so that there is no way you would change your mind.
You must also let go of the outcome (whether this will work or not, whether you will win or not) and focus only on the process – playing high percentage and yet aggressive tennis.
There is one more thing Roger Federer mentioned at the end of the match that we can all learn from:
Q. Was there anything about his game that surprised you? You knew about the serve.
I was ready for a good player from the baseline as well, and so, I mean, I will probably never be surprised on a tennis court because I don’t underestimate opponents anymore.
Full interview with Roger Federer
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