Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal
By Dr. Angus Mugford, Head of Mental Conditioning, IMG Performance Institute
It was a match some are already heralding as the greatest of all time. The mental toughness Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal demonstrated in their grueling 5-hour, 53-minute Australian Open championship match (a total of 369 points), was breathtaking.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what made their mental performance so special. We define “mental toughness” by a few key components used at the IMG Academies, and we will give each player a score to see where the battle of the minds was won on Sunday:
Attitude: Djokovic (1), Nadal (1). Both players embraced this pairing (the third consecutive Grand Slam final in which they’ve faced each other) and showed tremendous respect from beginning to end. These guys are heat-seekers, not heat deflectors. They want to play and beat the best.
Concentration: Djokovic (1), Nadal (1). Being able to focus on things that matter takes a whole new dimension when exhaustion starts. Physical toughness and mental toughness go hand in hand! The sporting cliché of one point at a time could never be more true, and both demonstrated time and time again. We never saw either slump, both managed to let go and refocus on their next point relentlessly. Watch and learn, youngsters!
Effort: Djokovic (2), Nadal (1). Djokovic perhaps gets the edge having just disposed on Andy Murray in a 4-hour, 50-minute match, while Rafa was resting up and watching getting ready for the finals. Both left it all on the court. One of my highlight moments was in the marathon-long trophy ceremony, where they had to bring in seats for both Djokovic and Nadal, while listening to the sponsors giving their speeches.
Confidence: Djokovic (1), Nadal (1). With the match in Djokovic’s hands in the fourth set, it looked like it would all be over, but Nadal had other plans and found the self-belief and determination to find a way to break the Serbian. With momentum fully on Rafa’s side, it seemed like nothing could stop him up 4-2 in the fifth. Again, someone forgot to tell Djokovic, who had his inner voice willing him on and giving him the right positive direction. Confidence isn’t about what you think and say when you are doing well, but the inner voice that gives you your belief when you need it the most. Best of all, this comes from the knowledge that you’ve worked hard and prepared for what’s ahead of you.
Composure: Djokovic (1), Nadal (1). When it came to holding their nerve, both players showed amazing focus and execution under the most intense of pressure. Both religious with their routines between points, Nadal adjusting his underwear, Djokovic bouncing the ball for an eternity, these rituals seem innocuous, but provide great mental consistency and become a trigger to help clear the mind and be ready to play regardless of what’s going on. This isn’t a case of “rising to the occasion” as fans may think, but “sinking to their level of training.” The reality is that these guys are the toughest, because the train the toughest!
The Moment: Djokovic (2), Nadal (1). At the end of the day, “the moment” is defined by many smaller moments. While each play their part, what Brad Gilbert (guest coach at IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy) refers to as the “business end” of a set, moments become a whole lot bigger and more significant. The match in his grasp, up 4-2 in the fifth, Nadal missed an easy backhand at 30-15 and Djokovic capitalized and never looked back. Seeming to find energy from goodness knows where, he clawed his way one point at a time and showed the toughness and excellence that will leave its mark on the tennis world for some time to come.
Djokovic wins the mental edge 8-6!
For tennis lovers of all ages out there, take note. These guys define the THE TOTAL ATHLETE by taking their preparation and execution to a new level. Be inspired and let’s get going!
- these rituals seem innocuous, but provide great mental consistency and become a trigger to help –clear the mind and be ready to play regardless of what’s going on.
-This isn’t a case of “rising to the occasion” as fans may think, but “sinking to their level of training.”
-The reality is that these guys are the toughest, because the train the toughest!
Many people dont understand this including reporters and TV announcers.
This article should be sent to everyone who has ever commented on tennis out of their arse.
I plan to print this article for my young judo competitors.
>Confidence isn’t about what you think and say when you are doing well, but the inner voice that >gives you your belief when you need it the most
yeah, im stealing this one for my classes as well
These two gentlemen (and I use the term in all its glory) are two phenomenal athletes but the mental aspect of their game is just as remarkable.
Nole’s Davis Cup victory might have been overlooked at the time but it was probably the time when he finally heard that little inner voice. He learned to win and his team-coaches helped him carry this newfound belief.
Maybe I havent heard others speak at Slam events too much lately except Rafa and Nole but listen in their interviews how often they bring up their team/support staff compared to others.
I hope Lendl helps bring that kind of support to young Murray, he’s another great young talent who needs his own Davis Cup moment to discover how to win. Could that be London?
How amazing would it be if Nole wins the Grand Slam and Murray wins the Olympics at home?
A confident Murray would be great for the sport.