TENNIS.com Podcast

TENNIS.com Podcast


Beyond the Baseline, with Jon Wertheim — David Epstein on Roger vs. Tiger and Generalization vs. Specialization

April 12, 2019

Ahead of the release of his new book, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, out on May 28, 2019, David Epstein joins the Beyond the Baseline podcast to discuss the opening chapter on Roger Federer vs. Tiger Woods. Wertheim and Epstein dive deep into the sports science of generalization vs. specialization, specifically in terms of Federer in tennis and Woods in golf and how Federer grew up playing a variety of sports, from skiing to wrestling to swimming and more, while Woods was surrounded by golf from a very young age. Why did Federer benefit from a generalist childhood vs. a specialization one? Epstein discusses Federer's characteristics and reveals how his specific skills and experiences have helped him climb to the top of the sport.