“I love what I do and I love being an athlete, but I also love all the things that have come with it.”

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.

In the last year I have gained a lot of experience because I have been playing against top players and realized what things to work on to get better. Top players basically tell you what your weaknesses are on the court.

I’m focused on going out every day and doing my best.

A great tennis career is something that a 15-year-old normally doesn’t have. I hope my example helps other teens believe they can accomplish things they never thought possible.

You have your bad moments in your career and your good moments. And it’s been a good ride so far, but it’s not over yet.

I hit a ball for a living, but I have that passion to keep learning.

I want my tennis to speak for everything.

I don’t get to do as much sightseeing as I would like to.

I find a lot of inspiration in street style and watching women walk, the way they wear things and what they’re wearing.

I’m just a very tough person when I go on the court, and I really don’t want to lose.

If I loved a guy as much as I love my dog, the guy would be in serious trouble because I’m all over that dog, all of the time.

The person, the student, the athlete, all are considered equal.

I want to keep coaching as long as I can. I love teaching and working with student athletes and I love being at the University of Tennessee.

We learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. One becomes in some area an athlete of God.

When I broke into professional hockey at 17 I was told that I was too small and too slow and I wouldn’t make the NHL. Now it’s kind of flip-flopped and the sense is I can’t be a good coach because I was a great athlete.

As athletes, we think we’re heroes, but when you witness firsthand what I saw yesterday, you realize who the real heroes are.

No athlete is crowned but in the sweat of his brow.

I think sports for kids is the greatest thing in the world because it teaches you how to share, about winning and losing and pressure. But I don’t think you should force your kid to become a professional athlete.

As an athlete, when you are on that field and the fans get really engaged and you can feel their energy and passion and true love of the game, it is absolutely a spiritual experience.