I don't consciously beat the drums for any cause, not even the negro in the United States.

In the field of sports you are more or less accepted for what you do rather than what you are.

From 143rd Street in Harlem to the center court at Wimbledon is about as far as one can travel.

Being champion is all well and good, but you can't eat a crown.

Most of us who aspire to be tops in our fields don't really consider the amount of work required to stay tops.

I was nervous and confident at the same, nervous about going out there in front of all those people, with so much at stake, and confident that I was going to go out there and win.

In sports, you simply aren't considered a real champion until you have defended your title successfully. Winning it once can be a fluke; winning it twice proves you are the best.