In tennis, at the end of the day you're a winner or a loser. You know exactly where you stand... I don't need that anymore. I don't need my happiness, my well-being, to be based on winning and losing.

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

I was very, very shy as a younger girl, just petrified of people. Tennis helped give me an identity and made me feel like somebody.

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

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.

If you're a champion, you have to have it in your heart. You can have the greatest coaches in the world, all the opportunities to play, and the greatest equipment, but if you don't have it inside, you're not going to make it. On the other hand, if you don't have any of those luxuries but you have heart and courage and the guts to go out there and grind it out, then you'll make it.

When I was younger, I was a robot. Wind her up and she plays tennis.