“I’m an athlete. I go out there and fight my heart out.”

I heard endless conversations between my parents when I was going to sleep about how we would survive, how we would continue. All of them were about trying to make me better.

I’m done growing. I only grow when I put my high heels on now.

I try not to hit a swing volley and run back. So my swing volley is kind of that transition to the net. It’s been one of my favorite shots ever since I was young.

I help design my own tennis clothes.

Ever since I was young I loved making things and being part of the design process.

When I make a commitment I stick to it.

When I make commitments I like to stick to them, especially when I’m giving back to kids. Just giving them an example of what they can achieve. I love giving back to kids. It’s fantastic.

The more matches I play, the more confident I get.

As someone who spends a lot of her time on the road, you have to look stylish but comfortable as I’m always in motion. Either traveling for my job, for pleasure, or managing the hectic pace of the modern day.

I have a Russian heart.

You control your own wins and losses.

There are so many roads you can take that will lead you the wrong way, that nobody will hear your name.

If I’m nervous, it means I had to work hard to get there, whether it’s playing in a tournament or speaking at an event. So I try to stop and be proud of getting to live in that moment.

I have had lots of luck in my career but there has also been a lot of hard work.

Whenever I have friends over, we end up eating and talking and losing track of time, and, once in a while, singing karaoke. It reminds me of the family meals we had in Russia, which always lasted a very long time. That’s a tradition I miss.

I think when you know what you are going to wear, it fits and it’s great material, then you feel confident in it.

I’m reflective only in the sense that I learn to move forward. I reflect with a purpose.

I am always motivated. I am ambitious and I want to always improve.

I want to consistently play well and win titles. I’m only at the beginning.

If there were camera phones back in the day, the biggest athletes in the world would have had a lot of explaining to do.

If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail.

The reason I became such a successful athlete was my mind was saying that no matter who you put up against me, I am better, I am the best.

The good Lord gave you a body that can stand most anything. It’s your mind you have to convince.

If winning isn’t everything, why do they keep score?