You kind of live and die by the serve.
Meaning of the quote
In this quote, Pete Sampras, a famous American athlete, is saying that in certain sports, like tennis, everything depends on your serve. Your success or failure in the game is closely tied to how well you serve the ball. If you have a strong, consistent serve, you're more likely to win. But if your serve is weak or unreliable, it can lead to your downfall. In other words, the serve is a crucial part of the game, and it can make or break your performance.
More quotes from Pete Sampras
In tennis, you can make a couple of mistakes and still win. Not in golf. I played three rounds in that Tahoe event, and I was drained. Mentally, not physically.
{mb_by_description:plain}
When you retire you want to get as far away as possible from the game for a couple of years.
{mb_by_description:plain}
It is nice to walk out on a court to have it packed.
{mb_by_description:plain}
Where I fall down is my short game. I don’t practice enough, and when I have to take a half swing from 50 yards out, that’s trouble.
{mb_by_description:plain}
There’s always one shot that I can rely on when I’m not hitting the ball that well, is my serve.
{mb_by_description:plain}
If Davis Cup was a little bit less or once every two years, I would be more inclined to play. But the way it is now, it is too much tennis for me.
{mb_by_description:plain}
The difference of great players is at a certain point in a match they raise their level of play and maintain it. Lesser players play great for a set, but then less.
{mb_by_description:plain}
I am going to hold serve the majority of the time. It is nice to have a little time to return serve.
{mb_by_description:plain}
For so long people have just taken what I do for granted. It is not easy to do year-in, year-out, to win Grand Slams and be No. 1.
{mb_by_description:plain}
Tennis is seen all around the world; if I am home or anywhere in the country, United States, people will stare.
{mb_by_description:plain}
People know me. I’m not going to produce any cartwheels out there. I’m not going to belong on Comedy Central. I’ll always be a tennis player, not a celebrity.
{mb_by_description:plain}
You kind of live and die by the serve.
{mb_by_description:plain}
Golfers are forever working on mechanics. My tennis swing hasn’t changed in 10 years.
{mb_by_description:plain}
I don’t know how I do it, I really don’t.
{mb_by_description:plain}
I let my racket do the talking. That’s what I am all about, really. I just go out and win tennis matches.
{mb_by_description:plain}