Arthur Ashe

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.

Arthur Ashe

If you’re paid before you walk on the court, what’s the point in playing as if your life depended on it?

Arthur Ashe

In America you’re conditioned to regard everything as a contest. You have to make the Ten Best Dressed List, win this, win that. It drives me nuts sometimes. Who cares, for Christ’s sake?

Arthur Ashe

It’s an abnormal world I live in. I don’t belong anywhere. It’s like I’m floating down the middle. I’m never quite sure where I am.

Arthur Ashe

Later, I discovered there was a lot of work to being good in tennis.

Arthur Ashe

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

Arthur Ashe

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

Arthur Ashe

Sometimes, a defeat can be more beautiful and satisfying than certain victories. The English have a point in insisting that it matters not who won or lost, but how you played the game.

Arthur Ashe

There is a syndrome in sports called ‘paralysis by analysis.’

Arthur Ashe

True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.

Arthur Ashe