The New Evolution in Tennis

Federer, Nadal and Sampras

Men’s tennis has gone through many changes and evolution over the last few decades. The 70s saw Bjon Borg and his mesmerising topspin that bedazzled nearly every person who dared him at the net. The 80s saw power and professionalism in tennis through Ivan Lendl- the tennis version of “Terminator”. This set the tone for a quicker game and more merciless champions. Most of what we see today in terms of game is as a result of that change in topspin, focus on power rather than touch and stern professionalism to meet the demands of the game through the year. 

However, somewhere along the way another change had happened that seemed to go away unnoticed. No more do you see multiple champions winning slams, over the last 17 years, three men namely Sampras, Federer and Nadal have won nearly 55% of all slams that have been played. This is a dominance that is unprecedented and if one were to look at slams played between 2003 and now nearly 75% of slams have been won by the duo Federer-Nadal and neither man seems done. This is a telling fact and one that reveals a hidden evolution in the game.

It’s long been recognised that tennis and other sports at the highest level are determined by mental toughness rather than talent. The new evolution in tennis champions is not as much in terms of their game as much as their mental edge. The new generation of champions are far superior in terms of mental toughness vis-a-vis their peers as compared to champions from the past. They truly seem to be a completely different animal in the head!