I always wanted to be somebody...If I've made it, it's half because I was game to take a wicked amount of punishment along the way, and half because …

- Althea Gibson

Being champion is all well and good, but you can't eat a crown.

- Althea Gibson

The loser is always a part of the problem; the winner is always a part of the answer. The loser always has an excuse; the winner always has a program…

- Althea Gibson

I was nervous and confident at the same, nervous about going out there in front of all those people, with so much at stake, and confident that I was …

- Althea Gibson

I don't consciously beat the drums for any cause, not even the negro in the United States.

- Althea Gibson

I hope that I have accomplished just one thing: that I have been a credit to tennis and my country.

- Althea Gibson

In the field of sports you are more or less accepted for what you do rather than what you are.

- Althea Gibson

In sports, you simply aren't considered a real champion until you have defended your title successfully. Winning it once can be a fluke; winning it t…

- Althea Gibson

From 143rd Street in Harlem to the center court at Wimbledon is about as far as one can travel.

- Althea Gibson