The Quote Zone Archives

"Many people take away things from Sampras because he never won the French, saying his career was not complete, which I totally disagree with. I think he had the best career of any player ever."

Roger Federer

"When I watch Roger freewheeling, so confident, it’s such a great feeling, but if I was playing him now, I would still try and take his time away, come to the net first and second serve, attack his second serve, same as with Andre. Nobody takes his time away. I’d just come at him and keep coming."

Pete Sampras,

Sampras, Sampras, Sampras, Sampras and Sampras"--Andre Agassi's reply when asked who are the best five players of all time,

True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.

Arthur Ashe

You've got to take the initiative and play your game... confidence makes the difference.

Chris Evert  

Be bold. If you're going to make an error, make a doozy, and don't be afraid to hit the ball.
Champions keep playing until they get it right.

Billie Jean King 

The will to win is inside you. You have to bring it out.

I'm going to go out and play to win, go for my shots. If there' missing, I'm probably going to lose. If I play not to lose, I'm definitely going to lose. I have a better chance if I go out playing my game.

James Blake 

When you're winning - or losing - Keep success in perspective
 

Chris Evert 

Be patient, don't force a shot that isn't there.

Ivan Lendl

Play tennis without fear of defeat and because it's fun, or don't play at all.

Bill Tilden

We're playing a sport. A lot of times, guys forget it is a game. That's not how it should be; it should be fun.

Yannick Noah

Don't just watch your opponent's strokes, watch his attitudes and habits

Harry Hopman

Pressure usually represents opportunity

Spend more time preparing and less time regretting
 

Virginia Wade 

Be patient, don't force a shot that isn't there.

Ivan Lendl

Play tennis without fear of defeat and because it's fun, or don't play at all.

Bill Tilden

This victory obviously gave me a big boost of confidence. I am proud that I did not give up and believed I could win. I am a very competitive player and my goal was to win against Jiri Novak after having lost my five last matches. Although Jiri is among the top 15 players in the world, I knew that I could hold against him and that I had a chance to win. I had a game plan and I stuck to it.
 

James Blake

Last year I learned a lot from Pete Sampras here in Düsseldorf mentally. We practiced together and he taught me how to quickly put a loss behind me and to go positively into the next match."

James Blake

I always keep it in the back of my mind that we are also entertainers. That's kind of our job. We are athletes, but we are also playing for the fans really. So I want to show little bit of emotion.

James Blake  

People know me. I'm not going to produce any cartwheels out there.
I'm not going to belong on Comedy Central. I'll always be a tennis player, not a celebrity.
 

Pete Sampras

It was amazing to see somebody just with so much confidence. You know, he didn't have a serve that was like Roddick's or Rusedski's. Actually, Rusedski is a bad example. But like Andy's, just blows it by you. He could hit it if he wanted to, but he took a lot of pace off it and he placed it. There's nobody better, ever."
 

Mardy Fish *

*on the Pete Sampras serve.

Last year I learned a lot from Pete Sampras here in Düsseldorf mentally. We practiced together and he taught me how to quickly put a loss behind me and to go positively into the next match."

James Blake

I  think if you're happy in your work, I think you're happy in
life. But if you put it in the big picture, I'm still very happy."

Pat Rafter

A Champion is always under scrutiny.

Don Budge

We have to live for today and not worry about or try to know what tomorrow brings .

Monica Seles

Never equate losing with Failure.

Arthur Ashe

Part of the fun of the game is overcoming difficulties.

Rod Laver

In true competition, no person is defeated. Both players benefit by their efforts to overcome the obstacles presented by the other.

W. Timothy Gallwey

A Champion is always under scrutiny.

Don Budge

I pray, but I don't pray to win. I pray for the inspiration to give it my best .

Althea Gibson

Be moral, be ethical, work hard, and don't pay too much attention to the critics.

Nick Bollettieri

Winners look like winners. Exude a confident image, even if you don't feel confident.

Stan Smith

After the match is over, you can't bring a match back, but you can learn from it.

Rod Laver

I said it early on and I keep saying it. You can get attention lots of ways, but the best way to build a name and the respect that comes with it is over time. The name you end up with then is something nobody can ever tear down, or forget.

Game. Heart. Mind. Some guys have two of three. Some guys have a little bit of the three. In order to do it for 6 years, you need
everything.

  I really don't mind the shows of emotion, banging your racket, getting upset in the moment-- that's just adrenaline. But that constant feeling of hanging your head, walking a little slower,  just being dejected. You're showing your opponent that you're ready for him to beat you, and that's not a good thing.

James Blake

A nice guy can finish first.

Never take your eye off the ball in order to watch your opponent.

Rod Laver

Start with steadiness and smarts. Then add aggression and power.

Arthur Ashe  

Attack when you've got the opportunity, but don't be guilty of overkill.

Roy Emerson

You can overcome tennis nerves by not dwelling so much on the risk of losing.

Arthur Ashe

Good concentration separates champions from almost-champions.

Stan Smith

Serve to your opponent's weakness.

Billie Jean King

The greatest lapses in concentration come when we allow our minds to project on what is about to happen or dwell on what has already happened.

W. Timothy Gallwey

You've got to push. You've got to act as though you expect a breakthrough to come tomorrow. But when you know it's not going to come, don't give up.

Arthur Ashe  

Winning breeds winning.

Pete Sampras

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

Billie Jean King

A tennis player can create more than a painter.

Guillermo Vilas

Tennis is a fight of character.

Charlie Pasarell

Every time you win, it diminishes the fear a little bit. You never really cancel the fear of losing; you keep challenging it.

Arthur Ashe

Playing serious tennis is hard work, and there are no shortcuts to the top.

Stefan Edburg

Never give up. Repeat. Never give up.

Jimmy Connors