Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. (July 10, 1943 – February 6, 1993) was an American professional tennis player who won three Grand Slam titles.
Fear isn't an excuse to come to a standstill. It's the impetus to step up and strike.
If I don't ask "Why me?" after my victories, I cannot ask "Why me?" after my setbacks and disasters.
This is my career highlight. Getting to the fourth round in the U. S. Open in my first year in the U. S. Open and first year on the tour.
Life is like a tennis game. You can't win without serving.
I'm learning to use others' weaknesses. I don't hammer a man's soft spot constantly, because he may strengthen it. I just save it as a trump up my sleeve for moments when I really need a point.
It's an abnormal world I live in. I don't belong anywhere. It's like I'm floating down the middle. I'm never quite sure where I am.
There is a terrific apprehension among some people that blacks will take over the sport. . . It will create problems because their behavior, speech and dress is just a completely different culture.
I strongly believe the black culture spends too much time, energy and effort raising, praising, and teasing our black children about the dubious glories of professional sports.
Racism is not an excuse to not do the best you can.
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.
It doesn't have to glitter to be gold.
Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.
Throughout my formal education I spent many, many hours in public and school libraries. Libraries became courts of last resort, as it were. The current definitive answer to almost any question can be found within the four walls of most libraries.
There is a syndrome in sports called 'paralysis by analysis. '
Having grown up in a segregated environment in the south I know what it's like to be stepped on, I know what it's like also to see some black hero do well in the face of adversity.
I guess I started too early because I just thought it was something fun to do.
Later, I discovered there was a lot of work to being good in tennis.
You've got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing.
One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.
I have tried to keep on with my striving because this is the only hope I have of ever achieving anything worthwhile and lasting.