QUOTABLE QUOTES

The fifth set has nothing to do with tennis. It is all about heart and fighting.
Boris Becker

We could have named it USTA Stadium or we could have named it after a person….Arthur was a champion who transcended the sport. We were lucky to have Arthur.
Judy Levering, USTA President, on naming the new U.S. Open court "Arthur Ashe Stadium"

None of us chose tennis. Tennis chose us. One day you are the best player at your club. The next thing you know you are a tennis player - it becomes your whole life.
Yannick Noah

I am going to have a game of tennis. But what I really mean is, "I am going to have a wonderful time under the sky, in the sun… for a while for me the world will not exist."
Helen Wills Moody, eight time Wimbledon Champion

I am proud to be able to come back from everything that's happened in my life, and just to enjoy tennis and play this well. I think it shows everyone that it's never too late to realize your talent, or your dream.
Jennifer Capriati

Tennis is a perfect combination of violent action taking place in an atmosphere of total tranquility.
Billie Jean King

You can't measure success if you have never failed.
Steffi Graf

We are not tennis players, we are stars.
Anna Kournikova

I don't consider it pressure, I consider it an opportunity. The whole country is rooting for me.
Andy Roddick

This is the granddaddy of them all. When you step out onto the court, the whole world is watching. I feel connected to this place. It feels like a cathedral.
Pete Sampras on Wimbledon

The most important player ever in tennis history was Billie Jean King with her mixture of feminism, general gifts of leadership and athletic brilliance.
Arthur Ashe

I am very extreme, when I am focused I am very focused, when I am distracted, I am very distracted.
Andre Agassi

Every woman on the tour should walk up to Billie Jean King and say thank you. For she single-handedly made women's professional tennis what it is.
Chris Evert

I wanted to behave like him on court. I had seen him several times on television and had been terribly impressed by this player who never said a word and whose concentration was always so perfect. Yes, he was the example I chose to follow.
Bjorn Borg, on Rod Laver

He was the perfect combination of raw power and great touch.
Tim Gullikson, on Pete Sampras

He's an old has-been, who can't see, he can't hear, he walks like a duck, and he is an idiot besides.
Rosie Casals, on Bobby Riggs

You try and beat the hell out of the opponent - then shake hands when it is over.
Ivan Lendl

I can almost feel it coming. I am able to transport myself beyond the turmoil of the court to some place of total peace and calm. I know where the ball is on every shot and it looks as big as a basketball.
Billie Jean King, on concentration

This is the end of the world!
Goran Ivanisevic, after winning Wimbledon

Love twice cost me Wimbledon finals. Once when Connors showed up with Susan George and once when I started to see John Lloyd. I wasn't focused. I wish I had been a little tougher.
Chris Evert

Dreams do come true. I no longer am going to doubt myself in anything. If I can win a grand slam then I know anything is possible.
Jennifer Capriati