Answering Questions Like a Tennis Pro

How to Deflect, Redirect, and Respond with Confidence

Earlier this week, I attended the Australian Open for the very first time. It wasn’t just my first visit to “the tennis”, as they say, but my first time at a sports event of such magnitude. The energy of the crowd, the seamless organisation and the incredible athletes were all so impressive. If you’re in Australia (or willing to travel) and haven’t been, I can highly recommend it.

To perform at that elite level, these players have put in years of relentless work, enduring sacrifices most of us can only imagine. The discipline and consistency required to reach the top are nothing short of extraordinary. In one of my previous newsletters, I talked about the importance of discipline and consistency to reach your goals. In tennis, this is even more evident as statistics are meticulously tracked and extensively discussed by the press: players’ positions in the rankings, number of matches won and prize money earned only to name a few.

What really stood out to me, however, was their ability to adapt to adversity. Injury, unfortunately, is a common companion on this journey, yet I watched in amazement as some players powered through unimaginable pain, still managing to win their matches. Witnessing that kind of resilience and perseverance was both inspiring and humbling.

It’s not just their physical and mental grit on the court that impressed me. How they handled themselves when talking to the press was also phenomenal. The post-match interviews were masterclasses in composure and communication. The reporters were relentless in probing for insights into potential injuries, eager for a slip of the tongue that might reveal a vulnerability to the player’s next opponent. Yet every time, the players skilfully deflected or reframed these questions, leaving just enough unsaid while still appearing gracious and in control.

Some players, like Ben Shelton, have indicated they did not appreciate the approach of the reporters during the Australian Open interviews. For the purposes of this newsletter, I focussed on the interview skills of the players, not the reporters.

Handling tricky questions with grace isn’t just a skill for tennis players. All of us, at some point, have faced questions we’d rather not answer, whether in a professional setting, at a social gathering or during a job interview. It’s easy to close off or resort to a blunt “no comment,” but there’s a subtle art to steering the conversation while staying confident and approachable.

Here’s where we can take a page from the pros’ playbook. Let’s explore a few techniques they use to keep their composure and sidestep awkward questions:

Controlling the narrative

One moment that really stood out to me was Jannik Sinner’s calm and calculated response in a post-match interview. If you’re not familiar with tennis, he is an Italian tennis player currently the number 1 in the world. After a hard-fought match, the reporter tried to dig into the status of an apparent injury. He asks: “You were taken off-court by the medical team here, what were you dealing with physically?”

Instead of addressing the question directly, which could potentially give his opponents an edge, Sinner chose to redirect. He steered the conversation towards his preparation that day and how he performed during the match. He continued by complimenting the medical staff and organisation of the tournament followed by addressing and thanking the crowd that roars in applause, which ends the question without giving an actual answer. The reporter is then left with no choice other than to thank him and let him start his recovery.

This was a masterclass in maintaining control of the narrative. By pivoting to his own story, Sinner avoided revealing sensitive information while still offering a thoughtful response. It’s a great reminder that we don’t always have to answer the question asked. Sometimes, it’s more effective to answer the question we want to be asked.

Watch this part of Sinner’s interview here:

Another great example of controlling the narrative comes from the Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek, currently number 2 in the world. Whilst Swiatek’s interview has made waves for her cheeky remark about having better coffee in Sydney than in Melbourne, there was something else that caught my attention.

The reporter opened with a playful question about whether Swiatek had a lunch meeting that made her bring this match to a win so quickly and effectively. Swiatek didn’t let it dictate her response. Instead, she skilfully used the opportunity to pivot back to her own narrative and ended the question within the first 0:30 seconds of the interview.

By taking control of the conversation, she demonstrated the power of answering on her own terms; keeping the interaction both engaging and purposeful.

Watch the interview with Swiatek here:

Humour

Another standout moment from the Australian Open this year came from the Serbian Novak Djokovic, currently number 7 in the world, a pro when it comes to both tennis and interviews. After winning the third round, during the traditional on-court interview, he used the same technique as mentioned above when it comes to the question about his injury. However, he includes a bit of humour joking about his age instead of sharing what his injury was.

A bit later, a fan in the crowd heckled him with a marriage proposal. Djokovic, never one to miss an opportunity for humour, defused the situation instantly with his witty response: “Sorry, mate, I have a wife.” The crowd started laughing and the entire moment went viral. Djokovic’s quick wit not only lightened the mood but also allowed him to redirect the energy of the interaction without appearing dismissive. A bit of humour can turn an awkward or challenging moment into a positive, engaging experience.

When watching this interview, it truly amazes me how Djokovic and many other players manage to provide such witty and collected responses after having played gruelling matches that could have gone for more than three hours.

Watch Djokovic’s interview here:

What if I overshare?

It happens to all of us: in the heat of the moment, we say something and immediately wish we could hit rewind and try again. This happened to Coco Gauff, American player currently ranking number 3 in the world, in her interview after winning the third round. When asked about her tennis outfit, she opened up about the challenges of getting in and out of it, talking about an Instagram story she made where she demonstrates how she goes to the bathroom in it. She quickly clarified with a laugh: “Not like actually demonstrating, but just to get the idea”.

The arena burst out in laughter and the moment went viral for all the right reasons. Gauff’s candidness made her relatable and it’s a reminder that sometimes, being open and authentic, even with a touch of oversharing, can win people over.

Watch this moment with Gauff here:

When was the last time you were asked an awkward question? I’d love to learn about it in the comments!