I grew up in team sports. I think I understand the psyche of America. I think when children sign up to play, it's got to be team.

Champions take responsibility. When the ball is coming over the net, you can be sure I want the ball.

I've never cared that much for cementing my place in history. Sports is so transitory, so ephemeral. It just seems like so much nonsense comparing me to Helen Wills Moody or Suzanne Lenglen or anybody else from some other time. One lesson you learn from sports is that life goes on without you.

Bobby Riggs was one of my heroes. I admired him. That's one of the reasons I beat him - because I respected him.

The trouble with being number one in the world - in anything- is that it takes a certain mentality to attain that position, and that is something of a driving, perfectionist attitude, so that once you do achieve number one, you don't relax and enjoy it.

A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning.

I like putting money back into what made my life, and tennis has been great to me.