Tennis was always there for me, which was lucky. I would go play baseball, basketball, football, hang with my brother, do whatever, and at the end of the day I'd come back and say, 'Hey, Mom, would you hit 15 minutes worth of balls with me?'

I hate to lose more than I like to win. I hate to see the happiness on their faces when they beat me!

I was raised by two women, and that laid the groundwork for the way I treat 'em: with the utmost respect and admiration.

I was never part of the crowd.

I don't go out there to love my enemy. I go out there to squash him.

From where we lived, to practise in St Louis was an hour-and-a-half drive each way, so that took a lot of the time. So really, our lives just took different paths.

What works for the person you're imitating may not work for you.