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

Meaning of the quote

The quote means that even though Arthur Ashe was a talented tennis player, he had to work very hard to become really good at the sport. Being great at something takes a lot of effort and practice, even if you have natural ability.

About Arthur Ashe

Arthur Ashe was an American professional tennis player who won three Grand Slam singles titles and two doubles titles. He was the first black player selected to the U.S. Davis Cup team and the only black man to win the singles titles at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. Tragically, he contracted HIV from a blood transfusion and passed away from AIDS-related pneumonia at the age of 49.

More about the author

More quotes from Arthur Ashe

Trust has to be earned, and should come only after the passage of time.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

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

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

You’ve got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

Let me put it this way: I think Republicans tend to keep the ball in play, Democrats go for broke.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

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

American tennis player (1943-1993)

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

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

Do not feel sorry for me if I am gone.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

Clothes and manners do not make the man; but when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

We must reach out our hand in friendship and dignity both to those who would befriend us and those who would be our enemy.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

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.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

I may not be walking with you all the way, or even much of the way, as I walk with you now.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

When we were together, I loved you deeply and you gave me so much happiness I can never repay you.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

I keep sailing on in this middle passage. I am sailing into the wind and the dark. But I am doing my best to keep my boat steady and my sails full.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

There is a syndrome in sports called “paralysis by analysis.”

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

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

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

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

American tennis player (1943-1993)

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

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

I don’t care who you are, you’re going to choke in certain matches. You get to a point where your legs don’t move and you can’t take a deep breath. You start to hit the ball about a yard wide, instead of inches.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

When bright young minds can’t afford college, America pays the price.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

The ideal attitude is to be physically loose and mentally tight.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

I have tried to keep on with my striving because this is the only hope I have of ever achieving anything worthwhile and lasting.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

My potential is more than can be expressed within the bounds of my race or ethnic identity.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

We must believe in the power of education. We must respect just laws. We must love ourselves, our old and or young, our women as well as our men.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

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

American tennis player (1943-1993)

I have always drawn strength from being close to home.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)

A wise person decides slowly but abides by these decisions.

Arthur Ashe

American tennis player (1943-1993)