--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Choking is being in a position to win…" description: "\"Choking is being in a position to win, and then experiencing some critical failure of nerve or spirit. That never happened to me. And I can't help but ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b69/pete-sampras-7491_choke_choking-is-being-in-a-position-to-win-an_2573601.jpg" --- # Choking is being in a position to win, and then… ![“Choking is being in a position to win, and then experiencing some critical failure of nerve or spirit. That never happened to me. And I can't help but think it was because I was never afraid to lose.” quote by Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b69/pete-sampras-7491_choke_choking-is-being-in-a-position-to-win-an_2573601.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b69/pete-sampras-7491_choke_choking-is-being-in-a-position-to-win-an_2573601.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b69/pete-sampras-7491_choke_choking-is-being-in-a-position-to-win-an_2573601.jpg) > “Choking is being in a position to win, and then experiencing some critical failure of nerve or spirit. That never happened to me. And I can't help but think it was because I was never afraid to lose.” [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Winning requires confronting fear; losing fear of failure can prevent critical breakdowns in performance. **In simple terms:** Never fear losing to avoid choking. Key Takeaway Cultivate confidence and focus under pressure. Themes sports psychology performance Mood motivational analytical Type psychological strategic When to use this quote - athlete coaching - mental training - mindfulness practice Key Concepts mental toughness competition risk management Questions to Reflect On - How does fear influence performance? - What strategies build resilience? A Different Perspective May underestimate external pressures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Defeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeat/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Nerves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nerves/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Tennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tennis/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [The professional guts a book through - in full knowledge that what he is doing is not very good. Not to work is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gregory-dunne/the-professional-guts-a-book-through-in-full-knowledge-that-what-he/) [John Gregory Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gregory-dunne/) > [At the core of the risk-free society is a self-indulgent failure of nerve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buzz-aldrin/at-the-core-of-the-risk-free-society-is-a-self-indulgent-failure-of/) [Buzz Aldrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buzz-aldrin/) > [For me, 'choking' is just another term in golf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-miller/for-me-choking-is-just-another-term-in-golf/) [Johnny Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-miller/) > [“Humph.” She peered down suspiciously as he parted the leaves to reveal the choke. “That doesn’t look very tasty.” “That’s because it isn’t,” he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/humph-she-peered-down-suspiciously-as-he-parted-the-leaves-to-reveal/) [Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/) > [I was writing a scene where a guy was choking another guy to death. You can go online and type 'chokeholds' and watch scenes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/i-was-writing-a-scene-where-a-guy-was-choking-another-guy-to-death/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [If this long island story of ours is to end at last, let it end only when each one of us lies, choking in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/if-this-long-island-story-of-ours-is-to-end-at-last-let-it-end-only/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Love isn't lying, it's loose in a lady who lingers, saying she is lost, and choking on hello.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidney-crosby/love-isn-t-lying-it-s-loose-in-a-lady-who-lingers-saying-she-is-lost/) [Sidney Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidney-crosby/) > [Was it like this? (Jesse) (Jesse made an inhuman ghost noise.) That sounds like Darth Vader choking on a chicken bone. (Gloria)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/was-it-like-this-jesse-jesse-made-an-inhuman-ghost-noise-that-sounds/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy There's vomit on his sweater already: mom's spaghetti He's nervous, but on the surface he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eminem/his-palms-are-sweaty-knees-weak-arms-are-heavy-there-s-vomit-on-his/) [Eminem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eminem/) > [Iggy: "I'll grab a zebra; Gaz, you fill all the bubbles with your trademark scent. so people are choking and gagging; and let's throw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/iggy-i-ll-grab-a-zebra-gaz-you-fill-all-the-bubbles-with-your/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [If you want to dry hump someone you don't know, just act like they were choking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/if-you-want-to-dry-hump-someone-you-don-t-know-just-act-like-they/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [When your rage is choking you, it is best to say nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-your-rage-is-choking-you-it-is-best-to-say-nothing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Today coming to work, I saw one of those only in New York scenes. It was a rat who had passed out after choking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/today-coming-to-work-i-saw-one-of-those-only-in-new-york-scenes-it/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) > [I need to learn how to start saying no. Like when someone says ‘please stop choking me.’](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mayer/i-need-to-learn-how-to-start-saying-no-like-when-someone-says-please/) [John Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mayer/) > [“I don't think we choked this time. We never played well enough to choke.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-matthews/i-don-t-think-we-choked-this-time-we-never-played-well-enough-to-choke/) Craig Matthews ## More by Pete Sampras > [There's always one shot that I can rely on when I'm not hitting the ball that well, is my serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/there-s-always-one-shot-that-i-can-rely-on-when-i-m-not-hitting-the/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [Success is walking out of here with the title, and anything less is not good enough in my book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/success-is-walking-out-of-here-with-the-title-and-anything-less-is/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [The only person that I have met, that I have ever been in awe of, is Eddie Vedder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/the-only-person-that-i-have-met-that-i-have-ever-been-in-awe-of-is/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [My goal one day is to be in the same sentence as Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/my-goal-one-day-is-to-be-in-the-same-sentence-as-rod-laver-and-ken/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [People wrote me off, but I believed in myself. I got the confidence back, and it grew and grew. I won my first major…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/people-wrote-me-off-but-i-believed-in-myself-i-got-the-confidence/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [I've always led a pretty simple life, with few extravagances. The money in tennis never drove me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/i-ve-always-led-a-pretty-simple-life-with-few-extravagances-the-money/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [My serve was there, everything was just clicking. Those are the days you dream about, especially in a final.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/my-serve-was-there-everything-was-just-clicking-those-are-the-days/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [I could be a jerk and get a lot more publicity, but that's not who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/i-could-be-a-jerk-and-get-a-lot-more-publicity-but-that-s-not-who-i-am/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [Retirement is a work in progress. I try to figure out my day, and what I know about myself is that I need structure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/retirement-is-a-work-in-progress-i-try-to-figure-out-my-day-and-what/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [Andre Agassi was my rival in the '90s, and I think as we got older we sort of transcended the game. He was probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/andre-agassi-was-my-rival-in-the-90s-and-i-think-as-we-got-older-we/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [Once the fifth set comes, it's a matter of nerves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/once-the-fifth-set-comes-it-s-a-matter-of-nerves/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [I'm not worried about the weekend, I'm worried about Saturday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/i-m-not-worried-about-the-weekend-i-m-worried-about-saturday/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [Players aren't quite as intimidated by my name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/players-aren-t-quite-as-intimidated-by-my-name/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [It is nice to walk out on a court to have it packed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/it-is-nice-to-walk-out-on-a-court-to-have-it-packed/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [What I've done in the game is always going to stick, no matter what happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/what-i-ve-done-in-the-game-is-always-going-to-stick-no-matter-what/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) [Explore all 90 Pete Sampras quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) ## More Choke quotes > [“Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs; Being purg'd, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; Being vex'd, a sea nourish'd with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/love-is-a-smoke-made-with-the-fume-of-sighs-being-purg-d-a-fire/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [What a wonderfully exciting cough,' said the little man, quite startled by it, 'do you mind if I join you?' And with that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/what-a-wonderfully-exciting-cough-said-the-little-man-quite-startled/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [I’ve blamed her for all of this, for leaving, for ruining me. And maybe that was the seed of it, but from that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/i-ve-blamed-her-for-all-of-this-for-leaving-for-ruining-me-and-maybe/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [I didn’t realize I was crying until it was time to say the blinding words. ‘I do,’ I managed to choke out in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/i-didn-t-realize-i-was-crying-until-it-was-time-to-say-the-blinding/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [The thing that bothers me the most is the recklessness and greed of the local ranchers, who run too many cattle back here, choking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merle-haggard/the-thing-that-bothers-me-the-most-is-the-recklessness-and-greed-of/) [Merle Haggard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merle-haggard/) > [In Los Angeles, it's like they jog for two hours a day and then they think they're morally right. That's when you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-neeson/in-los-angeles-it-s-like-they-jog-for-two-hours-a-day-and-then-they/) [Liam Neeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-neeson/) > [I have always been a big fan of Salman... whenever I see him or meet him, I choke.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisy-shah/i-have-always-been-a-big-fan-of-salman-whenever-i-see-him-or-meet-him/) [Daisy Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisy-shah/) > [A tiny fly can choke a big man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/a-tiny-fly-can-choke-a-big-man/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [Sam, clinging to Frodo's arm, collapsed on a step in the black darkness. 'Poor old Bill!' he said in a choking voice. 'Poor old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sam-clinging-to-frodo-s-arm-collapsed-on-a-step-in-the-black-darkness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Dont mistake my kindness for weakness.Ill choke you with the same hands I fed you off with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dont-mistake-my-kindness-for-weakness-ill-choke-you-with-the-same/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Blood fills my mouth. Fire sears my veins. I choke back a howl. The silver knife slips--the choice is mine. I am death or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bree-despain/blood-fills-my-mouth-fire-sears-my-veins-i-choke-back-a-howl-the/) [Bree Despain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bree-despain/) > [Well, that’s just a little hard, since I can’t even talk her into sparing your life, huh? You haven’t exactly endeared yourself to her.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/well-that-s-just-a-little-hard-since-i-can-t-even-talk-her-into/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“I don't think we choked this time. We never played well enough to choke.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-matthews/i-don-t-think-we-choked-this-time-we-never-played-well-enough-to-choke/) Craig Matthews > [If someone grabbed me, I'd probably be able to choke them out in about eight seconds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-donovan/if-someone-grabbed-me-i-d-probably-be-able-to-choke-them-out-in-about/) [Jeffrey Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-donovan/) > [Praying and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consume sin, or sin will choke prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/praying-and-sinning-will-never-live-together-in-the-same-heart-prayer/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) Browse all 440 Choke quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Choking is being in a position to win, and then experiencing some critical failure of nerve or spirit. That never happened to me. 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