Lessons from Rafael Nadal Learned

On Tuesday, September 8, 2009, I went to see the US Open’s Mens Quarterfinal match between Rafael Nadal and Gael Monfils in Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York.
At the time of the match Nadal was ranked #3 in the world, and Gael Monfils was ranked #13, although it would have been tough to tell who was higher ranked by the play on the course the first set. Monfils is the more athletic of the two and was running around the court with some acrobatic shots and some looong and amazing rallys between the two. If the first set was any indication, Monfils was going to win the match easily, but, but, but!, I noticed that

These facts at first seemed a negative, but they were in fact a positive. Part of Nadal’s strategy was to force long rallys, Nadal is known for never giving up, going after every shot, hustling for everything, even though the point is certainly lost. By forcing the play to last longer, he turns his match to a virtual survival of the fittest, with him inevitably winning most matches. Monfils started to tire in the second set and it was over, Nadal proceeded to finish him up.

Takeaway # 1

A disadvantage can be advantage. Look at things from all angles, try to step out and look at the obstacles that are standing in your way and see how it can be turned to your advantage. Sort of turning lemons into lemonade.

Application

Recently, Ebay changed it’s affiliate payout policy. While this may appear to be negative if you promote them, it can be turned into a positive if you look at from a different light. Dennis Becker from Earn1KaDay.com mentions that now is a great time to promote them because the competition will probably stop promoting them. I suspect he is dead on.

Stay tuned for takeaway #2……

Here’s a video about Nadal’s training regime..