What it Means to Aspire to Greatness

“When you do something best in life, you don’t really want to give it up.” — Roger Federer

On our journeys to high achievement, we are often guided by an inspiring example or experience that keeps pushing us to climb higher. We press forward with a burning desire to reach our goal because of someone or something that left an indelible impact on us. Often, it is a model or great person that helps us make sense of our mission and how we choose to define our path toward greatness.

In the course of my lifetime, I have chosen to emulate the qualities of great athletes who have transcended their sport both on and off the court. This has helped me to condition my mindset to prepare and compete like a winner. There have been many amazing athletes, but only a select few have inspired me to greatness, and made my jaw drop quite like Roger Federer.

I stand in awe at the man’s athletic accomplishments.

He is unquestionably the greatest men’s tennis player to ever live. And while at first blush, it may appear that some of his long-time rivals are closing in, the truth is, they pale in comparison to his run of sustained excellence. No one has ever been this dominant, for this long.

Federer’s tennis accolades have provided him with the fame he enjoys, yet it’s the quality of person he is and what he represents for so many people worldwide, that distinguishes him and makes him great.

Here in late January, in what should be the twilight of his career, once again, Federer is charging toward the top of his sport and eyeing another “Grand Slam” title, at the Australian Open in Melbourne. He is one step away from climbing Olympus yet again — winning another title that will further cement his status as a tennis god.

This inspiring story, in and of itself, is remarkable, but it’s not just Federer who is turning back the hands of time. Serena and her sister Venus Williams will also play for the title in Melbourne, on the women’s side. Truly stunning for 35 and 36-year old sisters, respectively. Like Federer, Serena’s run of dominance seems unparalleled. She is likely the greatest women’s player ever.

And oh yeah, Roger Federer’s old nemesis — Rafael Nadal — is lurking and will possibly await him for the right to stand in the winner’s circle come Sunday. It feels like we’ve entered a sports time machine. Tennis players are not supposed to compete for the biggest trophies in their sport at the age of 35.

Particularly not when two other all-time greats, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, are both in the prime of their careers.

But Federer and the Williams sisters, in particular, are far from conventional. They’ve broken the rules in every way, defying age and enduring with perseverance and dedication to become immortals of sport. Federer’s timeless characteristics are worth emulating. I’ve used the inspiration that I’ve drawn from his remarkable life to integrate into my own.

Federer’s Greatness Defined

You always want to win. That is why you play tennis, because you love the sport and try to be the best you can at it. — Roger Federer

I define high moral character as adhering to a system of carefully selected beliefs and values and never wavering, despite the temptations and changing winds around us. I’ve watched for nearly 20 years as Federer has maintained his standing as one of the best players in the world, largely because he loves what he does.

He doesn’t need any other motivation than simply being present in the moment, doing the thing that he was born to do, and performing to the absolute best of his abilities. Federer truly loves the game of tennis. It oozes out of him in the words he speaks and in his performance on the court. He blends talent with hard work and enthusiasm better than any athlete I’ve ever watched.

He relishes showing up at tennis tournaments and competing fiercely against anyone that challenges him. While Federer has lost ground in his later years to Novak Djokovic, he is still one of the best players in the world. His competitive greatness is legendary. His passion for the game and dedication to his craft power his drive to stay at the top.

Because of those qualities, it is Federer’s consistency that has defined him.

The one constant in sports, like in life, is change. Great athletes are eventually surpassed by their younger, hungrier contemporaries. Roger Federer remains the gold standard, despite struggles, injuries and father time catching up with him. His ability to integrate the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of his makeup into the produce we see on the court are what separate him from every player in history.

Timeout: How can you emulate Federer’s model of behavior and performance to integrate into your life?

Record of Achievement

“He’s a good person, a fantastic player, and a great man on the court.” — Rafael Nadal

You want jaw dropping stats?

Federer has remarkably won three Grand Slam titles within three separate calendar years, pulling off the feat in 2004, 2006 and 2007. In addition to his seven titles in London (at Wimbledon) and five US Open titles, Federer owns four Australian Open titles and the one French Open in 2009.

Roger Federer is first on the list of playing in consecutive grand slam finals. He played in 10 straight. But he’s also second on the list at eight in a row! He has won 80 more matches at Grand Slam events (and counting!) than any other men’s player in history. Truly staggering. And of course, he has won the most Grand Slam events (17)of any men’s player ever.

He may move that number from 17 to 18 in just a few days.

Class and Grace

“Ask anyone who’s crossed paths with Federer and they’ll gush about his wit, generosity, and warmth.” — Tim Struby Source: Maxim

Federer has proven that you can be the most competitive person you desire to be while still acting with grace, and treating others with class, kindness and courtesy. Roger Federer, like another sports hero of mine, Mariano Rivera, has long demonstrated his dominance in an individual sport that requires constant commitment, renewing one’s focus and reinventing oneself over time.

As Federer has gotten older, he has changed his tennis racquet to remain competitive and to adjust with the game. Others may have held pat and figured that being the greatest would suffice, but Federer was humble enough to evolve with the times and change course — for the better. Like the great Rivera, he’s not as quick as he once was, but he’s become wiser and more nuanced in his approach to ball striking.

Surely, Federer’s talent has helped him, but he’s not the most athletic player to ever play the game. His work ethic, passion for the game and commitment to greatness has separated him from other all-timers. You can aspire to greatness without cutting corners or hurting others along the way. You can embrace competition and maintain self-respect and integrity while finding the drive to inspire yourself.

What’s made this run in Melbourne so special is that Federer is only recently coming back from arthroscopic knee surgery that forced him to miss the final six months of the 2016 season. He even apologized to fans on Facebook for having to miss a few events because of the injury!

Federer is truly world-class in his performance, as well as in his preparation, as he gives his very best not just in competition but in how he treats others. When he learned that a young girl with cancer wanted to meet him, as part of the Make-A-Wish foundation, he flew her out to London and asked her to join him at Wimbledon. He brought her joy, love and a renewed enthusiasm to help her in her fight against cancer.

Timeout: What have you done today or lately to show kindness and concern for people in your life?

Model Your Behavior After the Greats

I’m a very positive thinker, and I think that is what helps me the most in difficult moments. — Roger Federer

I write a lot about finding models and looking up to people that will help you determine your course in life. Federer’s example of how he treats others, how he dedicates himself to his craft and the respect he has for the game are otherworldly. He stays positive during moments of adversity and never lets his emotions take him out of contending or competing.

I encourage you to find the people — regardless of their profession — who inspire you and help light the fire inside of you. It is through modeling our behavior, in replication of great people of high achievement who practice and preach time-tested values, that motivates us to high-levels of accomplishment.

It’s rare to see such a great champion so gracious toward his fans and opponents and so reverent toward his sport and mankind. Great athletes, while rare, come and go. Immortal athletes? We only see a few of these in our lifetimes. Savor this moment. If you’re like me, maybe you’ll wake up extra early Sunday morning to watch true greatness and class personified.

Win or lose, Roger Federer has demonstrated that greatness can be ours if we aspire to it and use examples like his to help propel us in pursuit of our dreams.

Live Boldly

Thank you for reading! I am sending out my first newsletter next week. Please subscribe via my website and Like my Facebook writer’s page! My book, A Values-Based Approach to Living will be out in Spring 2017. Follow me here on Medium and recommend my story if this inspired you! My goal is to make both of us a better person. I will always do my best to achieve this. Keep Going on your journey!