'Whatever game you play in life, sometimes you're going to lose': Roger Federer's viral graduation speech. Watch

NEW DELHI: Retired tennis legend Roger Federer delivered a thought-provoking commencement speech at Dartmouth College on June 9th.

Despite acknowledging his unconventional background as a high school dropout by saying, "Keep in mind, this is literally the second time I have ever set foot on a college campus", Federer seamlessly blended his tennis expertise with life lessons for the graduating class.

After some lighthearted remarks about campus traditions, Federer delved into the crux of his speech, drawing parallels between tennis and life's challenges.

He revealed that during his illustrious career, spanning 1,526 singles matches, he won nearly 80% of those matches. However, he posed a thought-provoking question: " In the 1,526 singles matches I played in my career, I won almost 80% of those matches. What percentage of the points do you think I won in those matches?"

The answer, a mere 54%, highlighted a profound truth – even at the pinnacle of success, one faces numerous setbacks and losses along the way.

Federer emphasized that in any endeavour, be it sports, career, or personal pursuits, losses are inevitable. He encouraged the graduates to embrace this reality and persevere through adversity.

"In other words, even top-ranked tennis players win barely more than half of the points they play. The truth is, whatever game you play in life, sometimes you're going to lose. A point, a match, a season, a job," he added.

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Federer's speech struck a chord with audiences far beyond Dartmouth's campus, garnering over 1.5 million views on YouTube. His ability to reframe his dominance on the court as a series of hard-fought battles resonated deeply, inspiring countless individuals to embrace resilience and perseverance.

Commencement speeches have a long-standing tradition of leaving lasting impressions, and Federer's address joined the ranks of memorable speeches by notable figures like Conan O'Brien, David Foster Wallace, and Mary Schmich.

Federer's decision to forgo formal education in pursuit of his tennis dreams paid off handsomely, as he amassed an impressive 103 tour singles titles, including 20 Grand Slam victories, cementing his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.