Losses have propelled me to even bigger places, so I understand the importance of losing. You can never get complacent because a loss is always around the corner. It’s in any game that you’re in – a business game or whatever – you can’t get complacent.
In the sports arena I would say there is nothing like training and preparation. You have to train your mind as much as your body.
Tennis is mostly mental. Of course, you must have a lot of physical skill, but you can’t play tennis well and not be a good thinker. You win or lose the match before you even go out there.
When you lose, you’re more motivated. When you win, you fail to see your mistakes and probably no one can tell you anything.
My motto is: I’m alive, so that means I can do anything.
You learn so much from your parents. We grew up in a home where we were definitely taught to be confident. I definitely give me parents a lot of credit.
I have been recently diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease which is an ongoing medical condition that affects my energy level and causes fatigue and joint pain.
Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend that you do and, at some point, you will.
When you get into that habit of winning, it gets – I don’t know if you call it contagious – but it gets to be a habit. She’s developed an unbelievable habit.
Anything which draws attention to me because I am so attractive.
I’m not a trend person. I don’t want to look to my right and see somebody in the same thing.
It’s what I’ve trained for, from the first sketch to the fabric. Making dresses that are different from the usual style, and a lot of fun to wear.
It is very important not to think about losing.
I don’t carry a purse when I fly because I have my Hello Kitty carry-on. I’m the biggest adult supporter.
Grand Slam losses are hard. I treat myself after losses though, I usually go to McDonald’s and I have a hamburger and you know, something. Because you know, you just need to be nice to yourself sometimes after the loss.
I know it’s not the most important thing for me to win the most Grand Slams and be remembered in this world. I certainly don’t have to win little tournaments here, there and everywhere, I don’t have to win at all. Although I do want to.
So what if you fail? At least you’ll know what not to do when you try again.
My motto has always been that you can’t say, ‘Oh, it won’t happen to me.’ You have to say, ‘That can happen to me.’ So always be aware that things can happen.
We don’t talk about tennis. I figure she knows what she’s doing. I mean, what am I going to tell her?
Unfortunately the world is what it is now. People don’t get along for whatever reason. As professional athletes, in a way we’re almost ambassadors for peace, because sports brings everyone together.