When I was in grade school and we had to write papers about what we wanted to be when we grew up, I wanted to be a social worker or a missionary or a teacher... Then I got involved with tennis, and everything was just me, me, me. I was totally selfish and thought about myself and nobody else, because if you let up for one minute, someone was going to come along and beat you. I really wouldn't let anyone or any slice of happiness enter... I didn't like the characteristics that it took to become a champion.

Being famous before you've formed your personality, before you have that self-esteem, is dangerous.

Whatever your goal in life, be proud of every day that you are able to work in that direction.

I'm not an overly ambitious person; I don't feel like I have to excel.

Competitive toughness is an acquired skill and not an inherited gift.

When I was in grade school and we had to write papers about what we wanted to be when we grew up, I wanted to be a social worker or a missionary or a teacher... Then I got involved with tennis, and everything was just me, me, me. I was totally selfish and thought about myself and nobody else, because if you let up for one minute, someone was going to come along and beat you. I really wouldn't let anyone or any slice of happiness enter... I didn't like the characteristics that it took to become a champion.

There were times when deep down inside I wanted to win so badly I could actually will it to happen. I think most of my career has been based on desire.