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

I think I've already got the main thing I've always wanted, which is to be somebody, to have an identify. I'm Althea Gibson, the tennis champion. I hope it makes me happy.

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.

The loser is always a part of the problem; the winner is always a part of the answer. The loser always has an excuse; the winner always has a program. The loser says it may be possible, but it's difficult; the winner says it may be difficult, but it's possible.

No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helped you.

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

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