I'd like to think I could have and should have won more, but that's not the point. And I was at the point where I was playing great tennis in the mid 80s - the type of tennis people hadn't seen before - and I was very proud of that.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on personal achievement and pride in one's unique contributions rather than just the outcome.
In this reflection, John McEnroe expresses a sentiment that while he might wish for a greater tally of victories, the essence of his experience lies in the pride of playing an innovative and exceptional style of tennis. He emphasizes that the value of one's efforts and the joy of creating something unique is more significant than merely the accolades received.
In practice
This quote is perfect for a motivational speech aimed at athletes.
I was a different kind of player as a kid and didn't do too much shouting and screaming. If things didn't go my way, I tended to get a bit overwhelmed. All I wanted to do was cry on my mom's shoulder. I didn't know how to handle defeat in front of a crowd, and I didn't want to be the loser.
I just remember watching Federer the first year he won Wimbledon. He was struggling with his back problem. I remember it vividly. It looked like there was a chance he was not going to finish. He had that look in his eye. Then, somehow, he found the wherewithal to dig a little deeper, and suddenly he wins the thing, and he's a different player.
Tennis was a white, upper-class sport, and I wanted it to be treated like other sports were.
You hit a wall at some stage when you don't want it so bad, but you don't know when that's going to be - as far as competition or as far as health is concerned. Sometimes it's just natural. You just taste it, and you want it so bad that you find other gears.
The only thing 'championship' about Wimbledon is its prestige.
The important thing is to learn a lesson every time you lose.
Good luck is the willing handmaid of upright, energetic character, and conscientious observance of duty.
I think in business, you have to learn to be patient. Maybe I'm not very patient myself. But I think that I've learned the most is be able to wait for something and get it when it's the right time.
You cannot allow your desire to be a winner to be diminished by achieving success before and I believe there is room for improvement in every sportsman.
The key is not to worry about being successful, but to instead to work toward being significant - and the success will naturally follow.
Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, whatever it may be, is maybe the most fun couple weeks we have a year, but I love being able to control my own destiny. The work that I am able to put in ahead of time was either going to come out and I was going to be successful with it, or I was going to try and fail and learn how to succeed the next time.
When I was publishing my first books, the previous generation of authors was fading away, so I was welcomed because I was a new author.
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