Timing Is Everything: Lessons from Jannik Sinner and Roger Federer

Timing Is Everything: Lessons from Jannik Sinner and Roger Federer

Written by Arik Zeevy.

At the age of two, Andre Agassi was introduced to tennis by his father. By age seven, he was hitting 3,000 balls a day against 'The Dragon,' a custom ball machine that fired balls at him in his backyard. 

I play and hate tennis at the same time. -Andre Agassi, Open

If you've consumed any tennis narratives about tennis' biggest stars, you've heard this story before. The innocence and joys of childhood replaced with expectations, stress, and a training schedule more fit for a traveling professional than a 6-year old child.

Coming off his first Wimbledon title and fifth major win, Jannik Sinner reminds us that there are other paths to success. Sinner, who first picked up a racket at eight years old, woke up every morning before school and hit the slopes, not the tennis courts. From 8-12, Jannik played tennis once or twice per week. 

I only started playing tennis seriously at 13. Before that, I was skiing and playing other sports. I didn’t think I would be a professional tennis player.—Jannik Sinner

Jannik's childhood idol, Roger Federer, was another late bloomer. Federer is quick to credit his childhood playing badminton, basketball, and soccer as a crucial part of his tennis success. 

I played a lot of sports growing up. I started tennis a little later, at 8 or 9, just once a week, while playing soccer and other things too. I only started taking tennis seriously at 14. I could have specialized earlier, but I'm glad I didn't. -Roger Federer

In a world obsessed with short-term gratification, early specialization, and a never-ending pursuit of more, right now, Jannik Sinner and Roger Federer remind us that some things happen on their own timelines.

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