Federer's Secret to the Warriors: It's Not Training, It's Life

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr recently shared a story from the past: when the Warriors played preseason games in China in 2017, Federer was invited to give a talk to the entire team. Kerr said the secret Federer shared about maintaining long-term success was not about training itself, but about how to build a happy life around one's career.

At the time, Draymond Green asked Federer: “How do you maintain your competitiveness? How are you still able to keep winning Grand Slam titles 20 years after winning your first Grand Slam?” Kerr recalled that everyone expected Federer to talk about technique, mentality, or those common clichés, but his answer surprised everyone.

Federer's day: It starts with taking his children to school

Federer's answer was: “I get up early every day, prepare breakfast for my kids, and take them to school. Then I go train tennis for about two hours. I figured out a very good training rhythm — one that does not overwork my body, while still allowing me to complete all the necessary training volume. Then I have lunch with my wife. In the evening, we have dinner together. The kids come home from school, and we ask them about their day. The house is filled with laughter and joy. After the kids settle down and go to sleep, I lie in bed and think: ‘Oh my God, this was a wonderful day.’ And I have lived days like this for 20 years.”

Kerr said his feeling at the time was: yes, that's exactly it. This is the secret to success, and this is the path to sustained success. Federer loves tennis, loves his family, and loves life. The key to success is not working harder than everyone else or constantly thinking that “everyone has to be strong,” but allowing talent to naturally flourish through hard training, a fulfilling family life, the right mindset, inner peace, and belief.

Kerr's interpretation: Happiness and passion are the core

Kerr concluded that the core message Federer conveyed was that what matters is mindset, happiness, passion, and belief, as well as recognizing how fortunate we are. To fully unlock one's potential, what truly matters are the rituals and details in everyday life, along with love and joy.