You have to be that 1 percent or 2 percent better physically so you have more power and energy left than your opponent when you go to a third set.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
When you reach that elite level, 90 percent is mental and 10 percent is physical. You are competing against yourself. Not against the other athlete.
The opponents and I are really one. My strength and skills only half of the equation. The other half is theirs. An opponent is someone whose strength joined to yours creates a certain result.
The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results.
Tennis is best of three sets, so even if I lose the first set, I still have a chance.
I fight to drive my percentages through the roof for winning and lower my percentage by taking the least amount of damage and least amount of hits.
If I'm played out of position, I'll always give 100%, but everyone knows I would rather play down the middle.
When you're playing upside down, it takes twice the strength.
I don't make the decision about what percentage of good guy or bad guy I play. For some reason, if I put my energy into the bad guy, that scares people. It's magic.
When you are fitted in a racing car and you race to win, second or third place is not enough.
No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are, you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference.