I have become convinced that we blacks spend too much time on the playing field and too little time in libraries.

You've got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing.

If I don't ask "Why me?" after my victories, I cannot ask "Why me?" after my setbacks and disasters.

We blacks look for leadership in men and women of such youth and inexperience, as well as poverty of education and character, that it is no wonder that we sometimes seem rudderless.... We see basketball players and pop singers as possible role models, when nothing could be further, in most cases, from their capacities.

You learn about equality in history and civics, but you find out life is not really like that.

Drummed into me, above all, by my dad, by the whole family, was that without your good name, you would be nothing.

I don't want to be remembered for my tennis accomplishments.