Quotes from Venus Williams

Growing up, I'd just be at home, playing tennis, spending my allowance on an ice-cream truck.

It's a great feeling to have accomplished what I have, but I want to do more.

Winning once is never anyone's dream. We all want to keep winning no matter what it is, or if we retire, we all still are striving toward something, probably most of us are.

I love the food in Thailand because of the exotic spices they use. Their style of cooking is unique to their culture and always amazing.

I love design.

The message I like to convey to women and girls across the globe is that there is no glass ceiling.

My dresses are designed to win, so going through it, I think about, what do I want to represent? So, definitely, Vera Wang has been an inspiration for me.

I don't think anyone wants to look in the mirror and say, 'I'm anti-woman.' They don't see themselves that way, and you can't treat them that way. But you have to tell the truth.

You have to stay on top and learn from mistakes.

I believe that athletes - especially female athletes in the world's leading sport for women - should serve as role models.

When you lose, you're more motivated. When you win, you fail to see your mistakes and probably no one can tell you anything.

My motto has always been that you can't say, 'Oh, it won't happen to me.' You have to say, 'That can happen to me.' So always be aware that things can happen.

Understanding that being nervous, having doubts and lacking confidence are emotions that are human is how you deal with it. It is okay to feel that way... and then understanding that you can work through it.

You have to let fear go. Another lesson is you just have to believe in yourself; you just have to. There's no way around it. No matter how things are stacked against you, you just have to every time.

For years I felt that I didn't have enough stamina and then, four years ago, I felt like I was not getting enough air but I was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. The medicine for asthma never worked.

When I play my match, I can't think about anything else except what I'm doing on my side of the net.

Losing is no fun no matter who you lose to.

There is nothing like playing at Wimbledon; you can feel the footprints of the legends of the game-men and women-that have graced those courts.

It wasn't like I was self-motivated. My dad started me. It was his dream before it was mine.

I don't focus on what I'm up against. I focus on my goals and I try to ignore the rest.

Equality for men and women, across the world, not only in sports, is the goal. We obviously have a long way to go, but every little bit helps.

I think women athletes who have been successful need to help other sports, those sports that are just emerging. That's what I've been thinking about and looking forward to.

Tennis has been around for so long - women have been playing the majors since the 1800s. Other sports have not had professional leagues for women for as long.

Tennis is definitely a star for women in sports.