Tennis as a Metaphor for Life?

Just finished watching another fantastic Wimbledon final (who thought you could top last year's Federer-Nadal epic?!) - definitely one for the ages. Federer finally passed Pete Sampras for most major championships ever, but not before a 16-14 5th set thriller against a resurgent Andy Roddick (who definitely wins the hotter wife competition vs. Roger in straight sets). Watched with my brother Mo (who I watched almost the entire fortnight with - was awesome not having to watch most of those matches alone, and with someone who really understands the game), Ben Feuer (of Jerusalem Pridefest 2009 reporting fame) and was in phone contact with my brother Yaakov in NY, BRon, Oren Nidam and Jason Rousman at various points throughout the match.

Is tennis, or sports in general, really a metaphor for life? I always thought this notion was kind of silly while enjoying it at the same time. If it's true, what's the message?

Well, if you're Roger Federer, the message is a simple uplifting one: keep trying, give it your all and even if it seems doubtful or bleak at times, you'll always somehow come out on top.

If you're Andy Roddick, the message may not be as fun or uplifting: No matter how hard you try at something, or how much you improve yourself, there will always be someone just a tiny bit better than you to put you in your place.

Personally, I would have been happy to be in Roddick's shoes. I play tennis every week pretty consistently and while I think I can string a good point or game together, I don't have the psychological fortitude to win point after point in tough spots like both Federer and Roddick did time and time again today. Sometimes, the best you can hope for is to throw it all on the line, give it your all, and hope that's enough to somehow achieve the result you want.

In sports, it doesn't really matter if that end result is winning or losing. And I find in life it often doesn't matter either - the effort and intensity you bring is what ultimately determines how you feel about it - not the end result. I hope Andy Roddick takes some comfort in that when he looks back at today's match for the ages. He couldn't have possibly given more of himself and that's got to be worth something. A hell of a lot, actually.
ESPN's Greg Garber sums things up really nicely here...