Arthur Ashe

I accepted the face that as much as I want to lead others, and love to be around other people, in some…

— Arthur Ashe

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

— 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

I would like to flood South Africa with black personages of all sorts of persuasions: writers, educators, businessmen, you name it. If…

— Arthur Ashe

Success is a journey not a destination. The doing is usually more important than the outcome. Not everyone can be Number 1.

— Arthur Ashe

If I don't ask "Why me?" after my victories, I cannot ask "Why me?" after my setbacks and disasters.

— Arthur Ashe

Someone once told me that God figured that I was a pretty good juggler. I could keep a lot of balls in…

— Arthur Ashe

I know I could never forgive myself if I elected to live without humane purpose, without trying to help the poor and…

— Arthur Ashe

I don't want to be remembered for my tennis accomplishments. That's no contribution to society. [Tennis] was purely selfish; that was for…

— Arthur Ashe

Seven out of 10 black faces you see on television are athletes. The black athlete carries the image of the black community.…

— Arthur Ashe

You learn about equality in history and civics, but you find out life is not really like that.

— Arthur Ashe

If I didn't play tennis I probably would have to see a psychiatrist.

— Arthur Ashe

Some folks call tennis a rich people's sport or a white person's game. I guess I started too early because I just…

— Arthur Ashe

I have always tried to be true to myself, to pick those battles I felt were important. My ultimate responsibility is to…

— Arthur Ashe

We blacks look for leadership in men and women of such youth and inexperience, as well as poverty of education and character,…

— Arthur Ashe

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

— Arthur Ashe

I guess I started too early because I just thought it was something fun to do.

— Arthur Ashe

I have always drawn strength from being close to home.

— Arthur Ashe

It is not just the more talented player who wins. Some players may try a little harder.

— Arthur Ashe

Start where you are, use what you have.

— Arthur Ashe

You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself... and when you reach your limits, that is real joy.

— Arthur Ashe

I have become convinced that we blacks spend too much time on the playing field and too little time in libraries.

— Arthur Ashe

I don't want to be remembered for my tennis accomplishments.

— Arthur Ashe

Fear isn't an excuse to come to a standstill. It's the impetus to step up and strike.

— Arthur Ashe

You come to realize that life is short, and you have to step up. Don't feel sorry for me. Much is expected…

— Arthur Ashe