As a fencing coach and parent, I’m always on the lookout for insights and wisdom that can help my students and children grow, both on and off the strip. Recently, I stumbled upon Roger Federer’s commencement speech at Dartmouth College in June 2024. While Federer is known for his incredible achievements in tennis, his words struck a chord with me, as they held valuable lessons that can be applied to the world of fencing. After all, when a person, considered a sports icon and one of the greatest of all time, speaks, you better listen to his wisdom and try to absorb as much as you can. If you haven’t watched his address yet, I highly recommend doing it, regardless of whether you are an athlete of any sport or live your life – things he said to the Dartmouth graduates are applicable to any aspect of life – competitive sport, music, hobby, gym, craft, job, marriage, parenthood – literally everything.

But let’s look at them from the lens of fencing, as this is the major theme of this blog.

Do you remember seeing a poised fencer moving with an elegance that defies their sport’s intensity in a high-level competition? To the onlooker, their movements appear effortless, a dance upon the strip that belies the grueling reality of their training. For me, there are few images as captivating as this. Yet, as Federer articulated in his commencement speech, the appearance of effortlessness is a myth—a captivating facade sculpted by endless hours of dedication, sweat, and sometimes tears.

The Myth of Effortlessness

The concept of effortlessness in fencing, much like in tennis (and in any other area of life, for that matter), is one of the most pervasive myths. It’s the idea that some are simply gifted, able to execute complex maneuvers with a natural grace, without the blood, sweat, and tears that coat the training gyms. This notion, however, couldn’t be further from the truth. Behind every fluid riposte, every seamless advance and retreat, lightning-fast fleche, lies a relentless regime of practice and repetition.

Imagine the countless hours spent in the fencing club, the fencer and their coach repeating movements until they’re etched into muscle memory. Each competition, each bout, is just the tip of the iceberg, the visible part of a much larger journey fraught with setbacks, frustration, and painstaking progress. 

As fencers, we must remember that there are no shortcuts to success. It’s the hard work we put in during training sessions, the extra drills we do at home, and the mental preparation we undertake that allow us to shine on the strip. So, the next time you find yourself admiring a fencer’s “effortless” moves, remember the immense effort they’ve put in to make it look that way.

The Role of Resilience in Mastery

Federer shared that his opponents often remarked at the beginning of his career that he was good for the first two hours of a match. But as he pointed out, anyone can perform well when they’re fresh and full of energy. The real test comes after that when fatigue sets in and motivation wanes. This is where preparation and resilience come into play.

In fencing, tournaments can be long and grueling. You might breeze through your first few bouts, but as the day wears on, your energy levels drop, and your mind becomes clouded. This is when your training and mental fortitude are truly put to the test. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being resilient and pushing through the tough moments.

To build this resilience, we must train consistently, even when we don’t feel like it. We must develop the discipline to keep going, month after month, year after year. This habit of perseverance will serve us not only in fencing but in all aspects of life.

Resilience, as Federer highlights, isn’t about being unbreakable; it’s about bending and not snapping under pressure. The initial bursts of energy and motivation propel us forward. But the true champions are made when the adrenaline fades, fatigue sets in, and the initial excitement wanes.  That is when the true test comes, in the endurance of the mind and body, when every touch is a battle against your own limits. This is the essence of Federer’s message: mastery is preparation, not just during the calm, but amidst the storm.

Talent Redefined

In my years running the fencing club, I’ve seen many talented young fencers come through our doors. Some have a natural ability that takes your breath away. But I’ve also seen less naturally gifted fencers surpass their more talented peers through sheer determination and hard work. 

In his speech, Federer also redefines talent. It’s not just the ability to perform a task with superior ease but encompasses a broader spectrum of qualities like discipline, patience, and a genuine passion for the pursuit. In fencing, talent isn’t merely about physical aptitude. It’s about the mental fortitude to continue pushing when every fiber of your being wants to quit, the discipline to train when no one is watching, and the patience to accept incremental progress as a victory.

It’s Only a Point: Maintaining Perspective

One of Federer’s most poignant lessons revolves around perspective—understanding that in the grand scheme, “it’s only a point.” Federer shared a powerful statistic: he won about 54% of the points per game in his career. Think about this for a moment – even the best in the world lose almost half of the points in a match. His message was clear: you can’t dwell on every lost point. You have to learn to move on and fully commit to the next one.

This lesson is particularly relevant in fencing, where a single touch can change the course of a bout. It’s easy to get caught up in the emotions of a lost point, to feel frustrated or angry with yourself. But as Federer said, “It’s only a point.” Whether you land a beautiful touch or miss an easy opportunity, you have to learn to put it behind you and focus on the present. A lost point is just that—a momentary setback. It’s a philosophy that encourages fencers to focus intensely on the present without being weighed down by past mistakes or anxiety about future outcomes.

This mindset is crucial in fencing. Fencers, remember that every bout, every tournament, is a learning experience. You will lose points, matches, and competitions. But these losses do not define you. What defines you is your ability to learn from them, to keep moving forward, and to stay committed to your goals.

This approach transforms how athletes handle pressure. By accepting that losses are part of the game, fencers can free themselves from the fear of failure. This liberates them to take risks and innovate on the strip, turning each bout into an opportunity for growth regardless of the outcome.

The Collective Effort of Success

Finally, Federer reminded us that no success is achieved alone. Even in individual sports like tennis and fencing, there’s a whole team behind every athlete.

As fencers, we have our coaches who guide and support us, our training partners who push us to be better, and our families who make countless sacrifices to help us pursue our dreams. We also have our competitors, who challenge us and drive us to keep improving.

It’s easy to get caught up in the individual nature of fencing, to think that our successes and failures are ours alone. But the truth is, we are part of a community, and our achievements are a reflection of the support and encouragement we receive from those around us. So, the next time you step on the strip, remember to be grateful for your team and celebrate your victories together.

Foe me, Roger Federer’s commencement speech offers powerful lessons that every person can learn from. By embracing hard work, building resilience, redefining talent, focusing on the present, and recognizing the importance of our support systems, we can become not just better fencers, but better people. As I reflect on these lessons, I’m reminded of the incredible journey that fencing takes us on, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to guide and support my students and children along the way.

The journey to the top of any sport is paved not only with skill and talent but with an unyielding commitment to growth, a resilient mindset, and a supportive community. As we approach the excitement of the Paris Olympics, let’s carry these lessons onto the strip, remembering that behind every effortless performance is a saga of unseen perseverance.