Ego versus self-improvement

For many, Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon loss to Carlos Alcaraz signified the passing of the baton to be the top dog in men’s tennis. But why might Novak’s post-match comments suggest he’s aiming to come back even stronger?  

The blog explores the impact ego can have on sporting performance and whether we should look to feed or starve it.

The defensive ego

Post-performance interviews from athletes, particularly following defeat, are not always the best source material to base judgements or predictions off. Emotionally charged answers may make good headlines, but they often bear little resemblance to how the athlete would respond following a good night’s sleep. When feelings have the chance to be counterbalanced by considered thought, a greater sense of perspective can take hold.

For a defeated athlete, they may need to respond to awkward questions about their own talent and capabilities. Or indeed the talents of their victors. Questions which pose a threat to their self-esteem and carefully crafted self-identity. An identity as a champion rather than an also-ran. Often, this results in attributing defeat on anything other than their own performance or talent. The incompetent referee, the bad bounces, the dodgy meal they had the night before… And why not, when confidence can play such a key role in getting the best out of athletes. Inaccurate, or even absurd, excuses can support athletes maintain their self-esteem so that they can approach their next game, match, run with the necessary confidence to perform at their best.

Opting for self-improvement

But in Novak’s post-match press conference, rather than going on the defensive and seeking out excuses, he spoke of his admiration for his Spanish opponent and the lofty status he now has within the game. Calmly acknowledging that Alcaraz was currently the best player in the world and describing the new Wimbledon champion as having all the best bits of ‘the big 3’ in his game. Arguably praise which went far beyond any ‘gracious in defeat’ necessities and perhaps surprisingly effusive from someone who is front and centre of the GOAT debate with potential motivations to futureproof that status.

Djokovic’s post-match comments may suggest that rather than going into ego protection mode, he was already able and choosing to respond to questions in a more objective manner. Shoring up the ego at all costs may have made him feel better about himself in the short-term, but athletes who do so continually and without rational reflection risk blinding themselves from the truth and the adjustments they need to make for long-term improvements. By Djokovic acknowledging and accepting the challenge he now faces with Alcaraz moving from young pretender to number one, he’s given himself the opportunity to shine a lens on what he may need to do to get back on top.

Recognising and using your ego

Regardless of the level you compete at, how we perceive ourselves and how we wish others to do so can motivate us to reach our sporting goals. The need to feed our ego and meet the expectations we set ourselves can drive us to pursue personal bests or dig deeper to beat close rivals. Protecting your ego can be a sound strategy when in the middle of competition. Where there’s few alternatives and/or where maintaining confidence must trump anything else.

However, be aware of when your ego is at risk of holding you back from reaching your potential. It may obscure you from seeing the necessary improvements to take your game to the next level. Or it may encourage you to avoid competing altogether, as your ego seeks to remove any potential threat of failure. Or perhaps even if your ego allows you to compete, it may push you to do so with less than 100% commitment, so that it can easily rationalise away any failings with a simple ‘ach, well I wasn’t really trying anyway. If I did I would’ve won’.

Whether we should feed or starve our ego is perhaps more a question of timing. But, being able to recognise how your ego can impact your decision making and performance can be the first step in making your ego work for you.