Why Self-Confidence Matters

• There is a direct and powerful link between self-confidence and performance success.
• Confident athletes make clearer decisions, recover faster from errors, and play with greater freedom.
• Confidence is not arrogance — it is quiet inner trust that allows you to perform without fear.
• For social players, confidence supports enjoyment and growth.
• For competitive players, confidence is the platform on which advanced skills can flourish.

Federer’s Mindset

Roger Federer once shared a remarkable insight about performance — a reminder that even at the highest level, success is built on acceptance, reset, and recommitment:

“Perfection is impossible. Across 1,526 singles matches, I won almost 80% of my matches — but only 54% of all the points I ever played. When you lose every second point on average, you learn not to dwell on every shot. You teach yourself to think: ‘Okay, I faulted — it’s only a point.’ That mindset frees you to fully commit to the next one.”

This captures the essence of true confidence: commit fully, release quickly, refocus immediately.

Building Your Self-Confidence

• Celebrate small wins: confidence grows through accumulation, not sudden transformation.
• Detach from perfection: mistakes are information, not identity.
• Reset rapidly: take a breath, ground yourself, and recommit to the next point.
• Stay present: confidence lives in this moment, not the last one.

About the Author

Eddie Baghdikian is a graduate of Deakin University’s Graduate Diploma of Sport Management and the Australian College of Applied Psychology’s Graduate Diploma of Counselling. With a long-standing passion for performance psychology and player development, Eddie brings a practical, accessible approach to helping athletes build self-confidence, strengthen focus, and enjoy the game with greater clarity and composure.

Instagram: @eddiebaghdikian