Ask Nureyev to stop dancing, ask Sinatra to stop singing, then you can ask me to stop playing.
Pressure is a privilege – it only comes to those who earn it.
Champions adjust and pressure is a privilege.
Winning is very tangible, it’s very exciting, it’s very pleasing, but it’s momentary. If you can do things that last, that each generation can build upon, then that’s when you’re cooking.
I try to perfect my strong points and make my weaknesses adequate.
Martina and I went through a very bad five years. Everything’s very good between us now, but it was a long haul.
When we reach the point where the women athletes are getting their pick of dates just as easily as the men athletes, then we’ve really and truly arrived. Parity at last!
When I was outed, it was like, That’s done.
I’ve never cared that much for cementing my place in history. Sports is so transitory, so ephemeral. It just seems like so much nonsense comparing me to Helen Wills Moody or Suzanne Lenglen or anybody else from some other time. One lesson you learn from sports is that life goes on without you.
Bobby Riggs was one of my heroes. I admired him. That’s one of the reasons I beat him – because I respected him.
Don’t go into debt and don’t spend a lot. It’s not how much money you make, it’s how much you spend.
Trust and respect are something you earn, not something that is given.
It’s important to try to get people to think about women’s wellness.
I think it’s really important to have portion control. I don’t believe in losing weight quickly.
In business, everything starts with integrity. Otherwise it falls apart, though it does take time to find out who has integrity.
I like to see what future generations are thinking about.
You want people to feel like they belong to something. And not be elitist. You don’t want us to be elitist.
I always respect right off the bat because we are human, but then over time you learn who the person truly is, just like they learn about you. Hope it works out really well, and you hope that builds a stronger connection over time. You can’t be friends with everybody.
Don’t worry about what people say.
Men and boys will accept you more easily when you excel at something they value.
And if you can see it, you can be it.