Arthur Ashe Quotes

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.

If I were to say, ‘God, why me?’ about the bad things, then I should have said, ‘God, why me?’ about the good things that happened in my life.