Lessons from Wimbledon: 6 inspiring quotations from sports legends

14/07/2025

Wimbledon 2025 was, as usual, a display of sporting excellence perfectly parcelled in its classic British setting: green laws, red strawberries, and starch-white players’ uniforms.

Over its 148-year history, Wimbledon’s winners have proved time and again that the journey of an athlete is complex, mentally challenging, and worth it in the end.

Here are six inspiring quotations from Wimbledon champions and what they could teach you about your financial planning journey.

1. “Most of the time, it’s not about having a gift. It’s about having grit” – Roger Federer

Roger Federer is widely known not just as one of the most successful tennis champions ever, but as an upstanding sportsman with admirable moral character.

The Swedish player is known for his elegance and cool-headed playing style. But as he puts it, his achievements aren’t down to talent alone, but can be attributed to hard work and determination.

The same could be true for your finances. Whether you are entirely self-made or have benefited from generational wealth, financial freedom is not just down to how much you’ve got. In many instances, the way you manage your wealth and the discipline you exert is more important than your bank balance.

For instance, you could have plenty of wealth to invest, but may be prone to losing your nerve and cashing in when markets drop. Over time, this lack of discipline could erode your wealth and limit your financial freedom.

Bespoke financial planning can help you define the difference between “gift” and “grit”.

2. “You have to enjoy the journey” – Ash Barty

Australian tennis player, Ash Barty, won the Wimbledon women’s singles title in 2021.

Having played professional cricket as well, and now retired from sport to focus on parenthood, Ash has always prioritised making enjoyable choices rather than giving in to unbridled ambition.

While certainly a successful player, Barty stresses the importance of actually enjoying yourself while achieving your goals.

If you are diligently saving and investing for the future, it’s important that you balance this discipline with enjoyment. You work hard, and deserve to enjoy life today, rather than saving every last dream or goal for retirement.

On balance, remember that retirement is an important milestone, and to enjoy it to the fullest might mean making some sacrifices in the present day. Maximising your pension contributions, for example, could mean having slightly less disposable income now while making a huge difference to your quality of life later.

Whatever it looks like for you, the important thing is to enjoy the journey.

3. “It is not the opponent you fear, it’s failure itself” – Andy Murray

Facing up to a world champion opponent must be nerve-wracking, but that’s exactly what Andy Murray has done time and again to become one of this generation’s tennis legends.

Yet his viewpoint offers a fresh perspective on the concept of fear: the other competitors aren’t as frightening as the prospect of failure.

It’s easy to fall into a competitive mindset where your money is concerned. You might see family members, friends, or colleagues who just seem to have more than you – and this could spark a negative thinking pattern, instilling the belief that you aren’t successful enough.

In truth, your fear may not actually be of how those other people “beat” you at the “game”. It might be that deep down, you are worried about perceived personal failure, such as being unable to support your family or running out of money in retirement.

To combat this fear, you could consider taking practical, measurable steps towards your goals. Fear can swallow us whole and inhibit our progress, but overcoming it is possible, especially if you have a financial plan in place.

4. “I don’t have anything to lose. Every match for me is a bonus” – Serena Williams

Serena Williams is the epitome of tough – when she plays, she gives everything she’s got.

So you might be surprised to learn that her attitude to matches is that every match is a “bonus” rather than a challenge.

This might remind you to take stock of the amazing opportunities that lie before you. It’s easy to become bogged down in worry about retirement, leaving an inheritance, or maximising your earnings at the peak of your career. But as Williams says, every “match” you face – a challenge to overcome where your wealth is concerned – could also be an opportunity to create a smart strategy and build a long-term legacy.

For instance, you could be concerned about market dips, especially if you have a large amount of wealth invested in equities. But with volatility can come opportunities to hold fast and gain even better returns later. By seeing your challenges as “bonuses”, you could find a fresh perspective and take a more positive outlook on your finances.

5. “My greatest point is my persistence” – Björn Borg

Björn Borg is an old-school tennis legend who won 11 grand slams over the course of his storied career.

He attributes the great heights he reached to one thing: persistence.

As financial planners and investment managers, we always emphasise that consistency and persistence are two of the strongest weapons in your arsenal.

As we mentioned earlier, you could earn a fortune and still mismanage your wealth if you allow emotions and impulsivity to run your life. Instead, we recommend a steadier approach. Life is long, and with the right level of persistence, you have the opportunity to build a strong foundation of wealth.

Consider your pension contributions for a moment.

During the cost of living crisis, many Brits paused their pension contributions to increase take-home pay and subsidise rising expenses. Royal London says that between 2021 and 2023, 33% of workers investigated doing this.

But a short break in persistent pension lodgements could cost you thousands once you retire. In the example given, the earner boosts their income by nearly £1,500 a year, but in doing so, reduces their retirement pot by more than £4,000 a year.

That’s because compound returns on your pension contributions lead to substantial gains over the long term. If you’re persistent, as Borg suggests, you could achieve more success than you had even imagined. If you falter, on the other hand, you could fracture your future financial stability.

6. “To do this, we need the best teams in the world” – Janik Sinner

The 2025 men’s singles final was a much-anticipated battle between 2024 runner up, Carlos Alcaraz, and Italian player, Janik Sinner. In four sets, Sinner became the champion, winning his first Wimbledon singles title.

In his on-court interview after winning the Wimbledon trophy, Sinner said, “To do this sport, we need the best teams in the world.”

His words are a reminder that no person is an island, and success is usually achieved by having a support team around you. For Sinner, it’ll be his coaches, physiotherapists, friends, and close family.

For your financial journey, it’s crucial to have a support network that acts in your best interests and helps you towards success.

This will likely include your close loved ones and colleagues, as well as your financial planner, who can offer bespoke guidance throughout life’s ups and downs.

Get in touch to build a lifelong financial legacy

Each Wimbledon champion on this list has built a legacy in their own way. Are you ready to cement yours?

Here at Depledge, our financial planners have years of experience in building bespoke wealth strategies. We’ll listen to your goals for the future and work hard to make them a reality.

Email info@depledgeswm.com or call 0161 8080200.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). 

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.