Quotes from Chris Evert

Ninety percent of my game is mental. It's my concentration that has gotten me this far.

When you're a famous, successful person at 16 years old, the rules change for you. Everybody is doing things for you to make life easier so you can go out and play. And I think you miss out on lot of growing up and a lot of reality checks.

Being famous before you've formed your personality, before you have that self-esteem, is dangerous.

My first U.S. Open I think was just very special for me because that was sort of the beginning of what was a 'Cinderella' story for me.

I'm not getting within 20 feet of a married man ever again - not even talking to one!

A champion hates to lose even more than she loves to win.

Find something that you're really interested in doing in your life. Pursue it, set goals, and commit yourself to excellence. Do the best you can.

You've got to take the initiative and play your game. In a decisive set, confidence is the difference.

The difference is almost all mental. The top players just hate to lose. I think that's the difference. A champion hates to lose even more than she loves to win.

If I win several tournaments in a row, I get so confident I'm in a cloud. A loss gets me eager again.

Whatever your goal in life, be proud of every day that you are able to work in that direction.

Tennis helped give me an identity and made me feel like somebody.

Even though there are a lot of bright tennis players out there, you still have to protect yourself and save all your mental and emotional energies for tennis.

Relationships are give-and-take, and when you're a tennis player, you're certainly not giving. You have to be self-absorbed. It has to be about you.

If you can react the same way to winning and losing, that's a big accomplishment. That quality is important because it stays with you the rest of your life, and there's going to be a life after tennis that's a lot longer than your tennis life.

You pay a price for everything in life.

I've had a lot of fear in my life, from fear of flying to fear of making a speech in front of a lot of people.

Every time, all the time, I'm a perfectionist. I feel I should never lose.

Losing hurts me.

Losing hurts me. I was determined to be the best.

I still have this image: I can't be controversial, I can't say things.

If I win seven tournaments in a row, I get so confident I'm in a cloud. A loss gets me eager again.

I love hiking in the mountains in Aspen. Breathing the clean, fresh air is great. Plus, it gives me a cardiovascular workout and firms my legs.

I was very, very shy as a younger girl, just petrified of people.