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

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.

The great high of winning Wimbledon lasts for about a week. You go down in the record book, but you don't have anything tangible to hold on to. But having a baby -- there isn't any comparison.

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

I wanted always to appear strong and in control . . . .Then the cookie began to crumble.

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.

You're always striving to play that perfect match.