"Victory Belongs to the Most Tenacious": A Message for Every Law Student

This summer, I had the chance to visit Roland-Garros in Paris, the storied venue where the French Open tennis tournament is played each year. As I stood inside Court Philippe-Chatrier, the main stadium, I noticed an inscription high above the stands:

"Victory belongs to the most tenacious."

The phrase is famously attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte and was later adopted by aviator and World War I hero Roland Garros himself. Today, it looks out over the red clay where the greatest tennis players in the world battle not just their opponents, but the weather, fatigue, and their own doubts.

Walking the grounds, it’s impossible not to think about Rafael Nadal—the “King of Clay.” A plaque inside the stadium honors his unmatched achievements here, and outside, a striking statue captures his signature forehand, a permanent reminder of his dominance. Nadal has won the French Open a record 14 times, not simply because of talent, but because of extraordinary tenacity—fighting through injuries, long matches, and even moments when the odds seemed against him.

That message is just as relevant on a tennis court as it is in law school, especially as you launch into a fresh academic year.

For 1Ls

Your first year will test you in ways you may not expect. The pace is fast, the workload heavy, and the language of the law unfamiliar. You won’t “win” every cold call, and that’s okay. Tenacity is showing up prepared the next day, ready to try again.

For 2Ls

Second year often brings a different challenge—balancing heavier workloads with internships, journals, moot court, and leadership roles. Here, tenacity means staying committed to quality work when your calendar is overloaded and distractions are everywhere.

For 3Ls

You’re in your final stretch of law school, with graduation in sight and the bar exam quickly approaching. Tenacity now means managing end-of-year commitments while steadily building your bar prep foundation—pushing through fatigue, maintaining discipline, and treating each practice question like it’s the real thing.

For Graduates

You’ve crossed the stage, but your biggest test is still ahead. The bar exam is a mental marathon, and your success will come from consistent, focused effort. Tenacity here is about showing up every day to study, keeping momentum when motivation dips, and remembering that each hour of preparation brings you closer to victory.

The Lesson from Roland Garros and Rafael Nadal

Law school—like a five-set match on red clay—favors those who are relentless. The most talented players don’t always win. The most determined ones do. Nadal’s career proves it. Some of his most memorable Roland Garros victories came not in straight sets, but in grueling matches where he simply refused to give in.

Victory in this profession isn’t about brilliance in a single moment. It's about showing up, day after day, ready to work, adapt, and keep going when others might stop.

So, as this new academic year begins, take the lesson from Roland Garros—and from Nadal—to heart:

"Victory belongs to the most tenacious."

Now go out there and prove it.