YOU ADVANCED TO THE TOP OF THE RANKINGS BY WINNING CONSISTENTLY, so should
playing a lower seed in a tournament concern you? If Roger Federer’s loss to Juan Martin
Del Potro at the 2009 US Open is any indication, yes.

Never underestimate the power of the underdog. Time and again, a lower seed ends a competition
lifting the trophy while fans and the top seed are left scratching their heads in disbelief. Losing to a
lower seeded player happens at every level of play, even to world No. 1 Roger Federer.

After Rafael Nadal lost at last year’s Roland Garros Roger Federer was the instant favorite to win the title. “You come out and you always have guys going after you, like Tommy Haas today, like Soderling yesterday. I think it only gives them extra motivation knowing that you’re the guy to beat or they have nothing to lose, because if they lose, it’s a normal result. If they win, it’s an incredible achievement,” said Federer.

The Swiss says inexperienced players are risky. “I think everybody who’s young and up and coming is dangerous for the top players just because they’re fearless. Especially because they usually like the big matches, center court, you name it, a night session against the top guys. This is where it’s most dangerous for us. That’s why it’s not always an advantage to be the top guy like I’ve been for so many years,” said Federer.

Sports psychologists say that underdogs tend to perform their best against a stronger player. “Pressure is in the eye of the beholder. As with most competitive situations, the key is to not get caught up in the potential result of the match. Focus on playing tennis,” says mental training coach, Adam Naylor, Ed.D.

Federer draws from experience to beat opponents and said consistency is most important. “With age you are able to motivate and stay calm over a longer period of time. I remember when I was coming up I had great wins, but when I reached the quarterfinals and semifinals stage I was already so exhausted from the pressure and from just being around pros and playing them. With the emotions running through me I was done by the quarters or semifinals,” said Federer.

Roger said that he eventually learned how to conserve energy. “You don’t have to go crazy after every point. That’s what I used to do. I’d either get angry after every shot or I’d get happy after every shot. I lost a lot of energy like this when I was younger.”

Competition and pressure co-exist. If a top seed remains calm and confident in their abilities, says Naylor, then sustaining their top spot and hoisting trophies will be the norm.  

REMINDERS:
1 Don’t underestimate the abilities of the lower seed.
2 Stay focused until the last point of the match.
3 Remain calm and confident in your skills.