Tennis has always been a big challenge to me and to be able to play that kind of tennis - well, only tennis can produce these feelings for me.
Steffi GrafYou can't measure success if you have never failed. My father has taught me that if you really do want to reach your goals, you can't spend any time worrying about whether you're going to win or lose. Focus only on getting better.
Steffi GrafIt shifted attention away from that and Ive never been someone who liked the attention from the media anyway.
Steffi GrafI've thrown away lots of my old diaries - you never know who might get their hands on them. But I have kept a few notes on the good old days.
Steffi GrafIf you watch Rafael Nadal play tennis, you can only respond with amazement and great admiration. He is an incredible athlete with so much discipline, so much concentration and someone who likes to put a lot of passion into every point. Words fail to come out of me to describe his game appropriately. I've rarely seen anyone who approaches a ball with so much attention. With such passion and joy that it makes great fun to watch him. With him, you can associate everything that makes tennis so beautiful.
Steffi GrafI have always been guided by striving to show the best that I could. That is what kept me going in tennis and it is the same now.
Steffi GrafYou can have a certain arrogance, and I think that's fine, but what you should never lose is the respect for the others.
Steffi GrafYou cannot compare your athletic achievement to the importance of children and giving them a safe environment in which to grow up and enjoy life.
Steffi GrafSometimes I wish I could have been a bit more relaxed, but then I wouldn't have been the same player.
Steffi GrafThe tennis wasn't really very much on my mind, so it wasn't like I was thinking about it all the time.
Steffi GrafI knew that maybe I couldn't be playing again, but I just wanted to get in physical shape.
Steffi GrafI don't wake up every day and think about which tournaments I won and which titles I hold. It's something I don't care about.
Steffi GrafI don't like the word 'businesswoman.' Perhaps 'committed mother' would be the best description.
Steffi Graf