Why Perfectionism is Your Biggest Enemy—A Lesson from the Tennis Court

In the pursuit of excellence, perfectionism can seem like a badge of honor. But let’s be clear: It’s more often a trap that derails even the most talented individuals. To illustrate this, let’s turn to the tennis court and look at two world-class players—Andrey Rublev and Roger Federer.

If you’ve watched Rublev play recently, you’ve likely noticed his affinity for intense self-criticism. When he loses a point, he lashes out—hitting himself with his racquet, berating himself, letting frustration take control. This behavior doesn’t just cost him a point—it costs him his focus, his composure, and ultimately, the match. Rublev’s drive for perfection becomes his undoing, transforming what should be a momentary setback into a full-blown meltdown.

Now, contrast this with Roger Federer, one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen. Recently he was invited to Dartmouth College to speak during this year’s commencement, and shared an insightful piece of data: Over the course of his legendary career, he won just a little over 50% of the points he ever played. Think about that—one of the best in the world won only slightly more than half of his points. But Federer didn’t strive for perfection in every point; he knew that consistency, resilience, and staying in the moment were what truly mattered.

Federer’s success wasn’t built on winning every point—it was built on his ability to quickly move past the ones he lost. He didn’t let a mistake define him or dictate the rest of the match. Instead he focused on the long game, knowing that each point, won or lost, was just one part of a much bigger picture.

This is where perfectionism fails us. Like Rublev, we often demand perfection from ourselves, and when we inevitably fall short, we spiral into frustration and self-doubt, losing sight of our broader goals. Perfectionism narrows our focus to the immediate failure, while resilience—like Federer’s—keeps us grounded and moving forward.

So, the next time you catch yourself in the grip of perfectionism, remember this: You don’t need to win every point. What you need is the ability to let go of the ones you lose and stay focused on the bigger picture.

You’re not defined by a single mistake—your success is determined by how you respond to it. Choose resilience over perfectionism, and you’ll find that progress, not perfection, is the key to winning your own game.