Match Point Mindset

I’ve played tennis almost every week since 2008. Doubles mostly. Two hours at a time. Tuesdays and Saturdays. Sometimes in between if the knees and the calendar allow it. It’s not about winning trophies or racking up rankings — it’s about rhythm, reflexes, and that satisfying thock of a cleanly hit shot shared among friends who’ve become an extended family over the years.

So when Carlos Alcaraz staged one of the greatest comebacks in French Open history last weekend, I felt it in my bones.

Down two sets. Facing three championship points. Most players would’ve accepted the inevitable. But not Alcaraz.

Instead, he reset. Refocused. And then rewrote the ending.

What followed was a six-hour masterclass in composure, athleticism, and sheer refusal to fold. Against Jannik Sinner — the current world No. 1, mind you — Alcaraz clawed back to win 4–6, 6–7, 6–4, 7–6, 7–6. It was brutal, beautiful, and deeply human. Not just a tennis match. A psychodrama on clay.

But this isn’t a tennis post.

This is about what we do when we’re down two sets. At work. At home. In our business. In life.

I’ve been there. Projects flatlining. Clients walking. Teams demoralized. That uncomfortable moment when you realize you’re serving not for glory, but for survival.

It’s easy to check out. To rationalize. “Well, we gave it a good shot.”

But here’s the thing: the scoreboard isn’t the story. The story is what happens after 40–0 down.

Watching Alcaraz tap into something deeper — a combination of mental stillness and physical fire — reminded me that success often hinges on how you handle failure. He didn’t magically become stronger. He just stopped trying to control the outcome and committed to the moment. One point at a time.

There’s something incredibly practical in that.

In business, especially if you’re building something new (like I am), there will be days when you feel like the match is over. Maybe funding falls through. Maybe a product launch goes sideways. Maybe no one shows up.

Those are your match points. And that's where most people give up.

But what if you didn’t?

What if you kept going — not out of blind optimism, but because you’ve trained for this? Because deep down, you know how to reset, refocus, and take the next shot?

This isn’t motivational fluff. It’s a tactical edge. Alcaraz didn’t win because he had better strokes. He won because he stayed in it longer.

So the next time you’re on the ropes — in a boardroom or a living room — ask yourself: Can I stay in this rally a bit longer? Can I take one more shot, one more swing, one more step?

You might surprise yourself.

After all, the greatest wins often come after you’ve saved match point.

P.S. If you play tennis, you know exactly what this feels like. If you don’t, consider picking up a racquet. It teaches you more about business, mindset, and resilience than most MBAs.