Here's Roger Federer’s Three Simple Secrets To Success

AT 33 years of age, Roger Federer is still at the top of his game.
The Swiss great reached the final of Wimbledon this year and semi-finals at the Australian Open and US.
Remarkably, Federer has a chance to regain the world No. 1 spot at the ATP World Tour Finals in London this week despite not winning a grand slam title because he was won more matches than anyone in 2014.
How has he been able to stay so incredibly consistent throughout his famous career?
How is it possible that he is still one of the best movers on court, despite being one of the oldest?
In London, Federer spoke to the UK Telegraph and revealed the three key secrets to his success.
While the 17-time grand slam champion is talking specifically about tennis here, his lessons can also be carried over to everyday life.
1. STAY ON THE ATTACK
“I do believe that when you’re playing offensive you have to do less reacting,” Federer says. “Whereas if you’re always reacting to what your opponent gives, it’s very hard. Eventually throughout the week or throughout the year or throughout your career, if you’re always compensating and running after the ball, it’s going to catch up with ou.
“But you can work on everything and the best players can play offensive and defensive. I guess Rafa [Nadal] and Andy have more the defensiyve DNA: they really don’t want to miss but today they’re great attacking players, some of the best in the game. And the same for me and Novak, we’re more attacking players but we’ve also gotten very good at defence.”
2. DON’T TAKE THINGS TOO SERIOUSLY
“I’ve always said that criticism can be used as fuel,” he says. “Whatever works for you, you need to do it. But I’m not like that. For me, just being on the court is enough. And let’s say I lose in the finals, I still get together with my team and my friends and I’m like, ‘It was a good week.’
“It’s true that the generation of Djokovic, Murray and Nadal has made me a better player, in particular Rafa has challenged me on many fronts, because the way he plays he is so unlike anyone else. But I wouldn’t say I needed that generation to keep me going; I am just here because I love playing the game, I love competing in a stadium against great players. I would have been totally cool just playing with the previous generation that I came up with: Hewitt and Roddick and Ferrero and Safin. Or playing with Raonic and all those guys.”

3. KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING
“Stefan (Edberg, his coach) wanted me more to play more matches and play tournaments more consistently,” says Federer. “I used to go in spells, but he doesn’t believe in taking too long of a break. He says it’s fine to do that when you’re younger, but when you’re older, maybe it’s easier for your body to keep on playing.
“We took a similar approach in training. Stefan reminded me to keep on playing points, whereas before I would only do that when the next tournament was close. It actually helped me to remain in a good rhythm. When you take a direction like that, you’ve got to stick with it and see if it works out. For me it did, because I’ve had no recurring issues any more with my back.”
Federer opened his challenge for a seventh ATP Tour Finals crown in dominant fashion on Sunday with a 6-1 7-6 (7-0) victory over Canada’s Milos Raonic today.
Federer last won the prestigious season-ending event at London’s O2 Arena in 2011 and the world No. 2 looks in the mood to add another title to his collection.