“You come to realize that life is short, and you have to step up. Don’t feel sorry for me. Much is expected of those who are strong.”

If one’s reputation is a possession, then of all my possessions, my reputation means most to me.

Wherever I am when you feel sick at heart and weary of life, or when you stumble and fall and don’t know if you can get up again, think of me. I will be watching and smiling and cheering you on.

With what we give, we make a life.

I have tried to keep on with my striving because this is the only hope I have of ever achieving anything worthwhile and lasting.

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.

Racism is not an excuse to not do the best you can.

Do not feel sorry for me if I am gone.

Start where you are, use what you have.

My potential is more than can be expressed within the bounds of my race or ethnic identity.

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.

You come to realize that life is short, and you have to step up. Don’t feel sorry for me. Much is expected of those who are strong.

If I didn’t play tennis I probably would have to see a psychiatrist.

Life is like a tennis game. You can’t win without serving.

I know I could never forgive myself if I elected to live without humane purpose, without trying to help the poor and unfortunate, without recognizing that perhaps the purest joy in life comes with trying to help others.

Seven out of 10 black faces you see on television are athletes. The black athlete carries the image of the black community. He carries the cross, in a way, until blacks make inroads in other dimensions.

I accepted the face that as much as I want to lead others, and love to be around other people, in some essential way, I am something of a loner.