“I enjoyed the position I was in as a tennis player. I was to blame when I lost. I was to blame when I won. And I really like that, because I played soccer a lot too, and I couldn’t stand it when I had to blame it on the goalkeeper.”

I am a sucker for those old traditional places, and Rome is as good as it gets, particularly when you throw in Italian food.

My game is a lot about footwork. If I move well, I play well.

My family is the thing I miss most on the tour.

I always knew I had something special.

Confidence? Are you kidding me? I mean, please. Look, some players grow up and play like that. I remember losing junior matches. Just being down 5-2 in the third, and they all just start slapping shots.

It is always in my mind still that I can crush anybody. That’s not an issue. But I think that is the same for most athletes. If you don’t believe you can win tournaments anymore, then you can’t do it.

You always want to win. That is why you play tennis, because you love the sport and try to be the best you can at it.

I always had the dream that, once I became No 1 in the world, that if I had a child I hoped I would have it early enough so the child can see me playing.

I have a very strong opinion. I’m absolutely against it. I’m against the challenge system. I’m for the way it is right now. Don’t change that.

I have learnt to be even more patient.

I am thinking more and more about what I want to and can do after my days as an active athlete. Thoughts like family and marriage also cross my mind more and more often.

One or two years ago, I didn’t know who I was on court and I used to swear a lot. But now I’ve learned how to cope and can therefore win 10 matches in a row. I want to be remembered as a good player rather than an idiot on court.

I’m playing great tennis. I’m enjoying the tour, having fun with the fans off the court. I’m loving it now.

I’m proud to be a symbol like the army knife or the mountains.

The nicer the point, the more — the better I feel, the more excited I get. But I never play that my opponent looks stupid. I think that is wrong. I have too much respect for every opponent I play.

What I think I’ve been able to do well over the years is play with pain, play with problems, play in all sorts of conditions.

I’m not sure if i’m to blame for all my relationship failures. But when i look at the wreckage I am the only commonality.

You will become a teacher of yourself when for the same things that you blame others, you also blame yourself.

I don’t blame the players today for the money. I blame the owners. They started it. They wanna give it to ’em? More power to ’em.

Expectations keep us in a victim role. They keep us blaming. They keep us looking outward. They keep us stuck.  

I have insecurities of course, but I don’t hang out with anyone who points them out to me.

Eyes bloodshot, words insane, anxious thoughts, feelings ashamed. After all, it was the heart to be blamed.

I am fire on the verge of ignition, don’t mistake me for a flame and then blame me for your destruction.

A good person finds a solution rather than putting the blame on someone.