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

I don’t want to be remembered for my tennis accomplishments. That’s no contribution to society. Tennis was purely selfish; that was for me.

Every time you win, it diminishes the fear a little bit. You never really cancel the fear of losing; you keep challenging it.

My humanity, in common with all of God’s children, gives the greatest flight to my full range of my possibilities.

It doesn’t have to glitter to be gold.

Trust has to be earned, and should come only after the passage of time.

I take the good with the bad, and I try to face them both with as much calm and dignity as I can muster.

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.

When bright young minds can’t afford college, America pays the price.

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

Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner.

Martina’s like the old Green Bay Packers. You know exactly what she’s going to do, but there isn’t a thing you can do about it.

It doesn’t have to glitter to be gold.

From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.

A couple of times a day I sit quietly and visualize my body fighting the AIDS virus. It’s the same as me sitting and seeing myself hit the perfect serve. I did that often when I was an athlete.

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.

When we were together, I loved you deeply and you gave me so much happiness I can never repay you.

Fiction writing is great. You can make up almost anything.

Gorgeous hair is the best revenge.

Remember for just one minute of the day, it would be best to try looking upon yourself more as God does, for She knows your true royal nature.

When Tarquin the Proud was asked what was the best mode of governing a conquered city, he replied only by beating down with his staff all the tallest poppies in his garden.

The best loved by God are those that are rich, yet have the humility of the poor, and those that are poor and have the magnanimity of the rich.

The best way to judge a life is to ask yourself, “Did I make the best use of the time I had?

I understand that change is frightening for people, especially if there’s nothing to go to. It’s best to stay where you are. I understand that.

I really love going back home. I think going back to a nice, relaxed little town is the best way to do it.