>> back to contributions

The coronation of the Williams sisters and Rafael Nadal announce the arrival of a new form of tennis: tennis hype.

To better understand this phenomenon, let us analyze the role of intimidation in our sport.

First, we must accept the idea that the outcome of a match of course depends on the tennistical, physical and strategic qualities of the two players, but above all, it also depends on the perception each player has of his opponent and in his capacity to believe in victory...

To further my point, you most likely have gone through the experience of having entirely blown a match because you did not believe in your chances and overestimated those of your opponent.

Each player, professionals included, has his or her "pet peeve" (an opponent who is normally lower seeded than you and against whom you lose systematically), and this is essentially due to the fact that a "complex" toward someone is born. This complex leads to defeat. This defeat heightens the complex that in turn leads to the next defeat, etc...

In reality, to put all the chances in your favor to win a match, you should go into it in a neutral fashion, meaning without any preconceptions: neither overestimate nor underestimate your opponent. Simply believe in your chances and commit yourself to the battle.

If we take a look at tennis history, we notice that it has seen all types of players, and at different eras, some exerted strong pressure over their opponents. Bjorn Borg, aka "Iceborg", was the first to never show an ounce of emotion, and thus was feared by opponents who thought it impossible to destabilize him. They overestimated him and he won numerous duels thanks to his psychological influence.

The extroverted Jimmy Connors let all his desire to conquer speak for itself during matches; this was also useful in impressing his opponents.

But we enter a new era with the arrival of the Williams sisters.

Richard Williams is a visionary. He invented a new style of tennis. Coming from nothing, he brought his daughters to the firmament of international tennis. Beyond the athletic development of his daughters, he decides to make them into two marketing products feared by everyone. He stages their arrival in the world of tennis through the press. He presented them as formidable, unafraid of anyone or anything. Richard stirred things up during matches and made written comments on a black board for all to see. His daughters behaved very demonstratively on the court. Their attitude was in accordance with the way their father presented them: they fought until the very last point and put enormous energy into every shot. Their bodies were also very striking, very tall and very muscular. All of these factors resulted in the press hailing them as indestructible. Most experts doomed Martina Hingis, yet number 1 in the world at the time, by stating that she could not in any way fight their power.

All of this had its effect. Venus, then Serena, became number 1 in the world. Martina Hingis would end her career at only 22 years old, and many players would regularly step onto the court to face a Williams sister having already lost the match mentally.

Rafaël Nadal, for his part, is currently stepping into the breach opened by Richard Williams and takes it to the next level.

He appropriates the general principles of his elder's strategy: fearsome presentation to the press, highly impressive muscle structure, demonstrative behavior on the court, and a fight until the last point of every match.

But his powers of intimidation go even further this time...He knows that his tennis game is limited. He knows that his assets are his physique and his mind. He knows that if a player steps onto the court fearing him, he has a good chance of dominating the match.

So in the locker room before matches, he places himself directly in front of his opponent and starts warming up, putting emphasis on his impressive athletic qualities. He adds groans to make it even more intimidating. In a way, he carries out a sort of "New Zealand Haka".

This behavior reminds me of boxing. The boxers stare each other down and try to destabilize each other before the match because they know the importance of a psychological edge.

This is why Nadal is currently number 2 in the world. And why he often beats Federer even though the latter is superior in practically every area of the game.

I maintain that Federer must beat Rafaël Nadal systematically, including on clay court. He must stop overestimating him to do this. The Swiss possesses all the keys to dominate...with the exception of confidence...for the moment.

Patrick Mouratoglou - February 4, 2007