Game, set, find your match

In tennis, being Mr Consistency is everything. It’s not enough to hit a great shot or win a single Slam—the greats know how to deliver winning performances time after time.

What’s the secret? For World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, it comes down to rock-solid stability. By keeping his stance low and his feet glued to the ground, Jannik delivers powerful ground strokes while conserving his energy, so he can stay on top of his game when his opponent grows weary and starts making unforced errors. That’s how this Italian champ achieved a staggering 58-6 win-loss record across his matches in 2025.

If you prefer control and predictability over your daily routine, you can take inspiration from Jannik’s playing style. Let’s see if you identify with any of these traits:

• You prefer predictable gains over high-risk financial strategies.
• Your life is governed by spreadsheets and you know every line of your monthly expenditure.
• You maintain a firm grip over your day-to-day cash flow.
• You use auto-debits to save a fixed percentage of your income every month.
• You have a well-diversified portfolio, so temporary market dips won't make you sweat.
• You’ve built an emergency fund of up to 18 months to keep you and your loved ones secure.

A tennis match doesn’t always go according to plan, but the ability to adapt on the fly helps top players regain control when pushed out of their comfort zone.

Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Świątek, an avid fan of LEGO puzzles, scored a recent victory by displaying her razor-sharp analytical ability. After dropping her first set to Maria Sakkari at the Cincinnati Open, she switched tactics to pin her formidable opponent to the baseline, deploying a patient strategy to build her points gradually. This allowed her to flip the script and secure a decisive victory.

Like this master tactician, Problem Solvers know how to tweak their financial strategy when life hits them with an unexpected curveball:

• When a major life milestone (like the arrival of a new baby) changes your cash flow, you review your protection gap and rebalance your savings allocation.
• When an unplanned career pivot happens, you trim extra expenses, map out a lean budget, and rely on your emergency buffer before steadying the ship.
• When the market takes a dip, you continue dollar-cost averaging instead of liquidating your funds in a panic.
• When a flight delay throws off your well-planned holiday, you check your travel insurance policy to claim lounge access and delay compensation.

When it comes to duels among the greats, having an explosive first serve is a decisive weapon.

Known for her powerful serve, Naomi Osaka dictates the pace of the court by sending the ball blazing across the net at an impressive 105–110mph — as fast as a sports car at top speed. This aggressive play keeps her opponents off-balance right from the get-go, allowing her to control the point and dominate the set.

If you are a decisive go-getter who likes making the first move, Naomi’s style might suit you best:

• You act fast when market opportunities arise, taking decisive steps to secure an early advantage.
• You prioritise high-yielding assets and growth-focused investments to accelerate your wealth building.
• You set ambitious financial goals (like the Financial Independence, Retire Early movement) and actively track your progress to reach them ahead of schedule.
• You take charge of your financial trajectory rather than waiting passively for compounding to do the heavy lifting.

“It ain’t over till it’s over.” Few players live up to this classic motto like Alex Eala, the Filipina tennis phenom known for her gutsy comebacks.

At the Mubadala DC Open, Alex defeated Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng in a stunning three-set victory after dropping the first set and trailing in the second. To claw her way back, she fought off seven break points and turned the match around to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. It was one in a series of gritty come-from-behind victories that had seen Alex beating top players like Jessica Pegula and Leylah Fernandez.

Alex’s success boiled down to grit and mental agility. Instead of letting frustration take over, she remembered her coach’s advice to contest every single ball, trusting that opportunities would follow.

If you feel like you’re lagging behind your peers or stuck paying off debts, don’t let it get you down. Every small win counts, so look out for ways to chip away at your financial goals, one point at a time:

• You started your savings journey later than planned, but you pick up the pace by maxing out your CPF voluntary top-ups and SRS contributions — slashing your taxable income while accelerating your retirement savings.
• You turn everyday choices into steady gains, whether that means taking public transport, packing homemade lunches, or trading your café matcha fix for a home-brewed cup.
• You start small and build momentum consistently, whether setting aside S$100 a month or complementing your savings with automated transfers into low-cost index funds.
• You don't let past financial mistakes hold you back—every paycheck presents a fresh opportunity to make progress!

You can work hard toward your goal and have fun too.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz is known for his playfulness on court, using creative shots from unexpected angles and high-energy spontaneity to win points. His fearless attitude allows him to perform without pressure under the brightest lights, entertaining fans with his showmanship while catching his opponents off-guard.

Are you a spontaneous type who loves trying new things? Here’s how you can play to your strengths to achieve your financial goals:

• If you love travelling: Use a miles-accruing card for your daily spending and occasional big expenses (like a new work laptop) to offset your next vacation.
• If you enjoy gamified challenges: Start a savings contest with a friend and track your progress on a monthly leaderboard—the winner gets a treat! If sticking to a routine feels like a chore: Build in small rewards whenever you hit a milestone.
• If you feel a bit adrift: Channel your passions into a side gig that let you turn your interests into fresh income streams.
• If you live with friends or family: Look out for bundle deals on digital subscriptions, group dining promos, and shared expense perks to keep costs low without sacrificing your social life.