Ever since that day when I was 11 years old, and I wasn't allowed in a photo because I wasn't wearing a tennis skirt, I knew that I wanted to change the sport.
Billie Jean KingRead
You have got to want to be the best before you can even begin to reach for that goal, and you have got to be prepared to sacrifice a lot to get there.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Desire and sacrifice are essential for achieving excellence.
This quote by Billie Jean King emphasizes the importance of having a strong desire to be the best in order to pursue any significant goal. It highlights that achieving excellence requires not only ambition but also a readiness to make sacrifices in pursuit of that goal.
Themes
DesireSacrificeGoalExcellenceMotivation
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote in a motivational speech for athletes about the importance of ambition and dedication.
More from Billie Jean King
All quotes →Tennis taught me so many lessons in life. One of the things it taught me is that every ball that comes to me, I have to make a decision. I have to accept responsibility for the consequences every time I hit a ball.
Billie Jean KingRead
A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning.
Billie Jean KingRead
Natural talent only determines the limits of your athletic potential. It's dedication and a willingness to discipline your life that makes you great.
Billie Jean KingRead
I feel that tennis is an art form that is capable of moving the players and the audience - at least a knowledgeable audience-in almost sensual ways. When I'm performing at my absolute best, I think that some of the euphoria I feel must be transmitted to the audience.
Billie Jean KingRead
I like putting money back into what made my life, and tennis has been great to me.
Billie Jean KingRead
Similar quotes
I just feel so much more comfortable and confident every game I play.
Stephen CurryRead
If you're constantly pushing yourself higher, higher, the law of averages - not to mention the myth of Icarus - predicts that you will at some point fall. And when you do, I want you to know this, remember this: There is no such thing as failure.
Oprah WinfreyRead
May you find your Tower, Roland, and breach it, and may you climb to the top!
Stephen KingRead
Obstacles are merely a call to strengthen your resolve to achieve your worthwhile goals.
Tony RobbinsRead
When doing what we most love transforms us into the best possible version of ourselves and that version hints at even greater future possibilities, the urge to explore those possibilities becomes feverish compulsion. Intrinsic motivation goes through the roof. Thus flow becomes an alternative path to mastery, sans the misery.
Steven KotlerRead
It is called working your ass off. The difference is what you are willing to sacrifice. For every writer who wants balance in their life, there is a guy like me who gives up a lot to make their dreams come true. There is always going to be someone out there that knows they have to compensate for maybe having less talent with harder work and preparation.
Mark CubanRead