Tennis was never work for me, tennis was fun. And the tougher the battle and the longer the match, the more fun I had.
Interpretation
Tennis is a source of enjoyment rather than a job for Connors, and he finds pleasure in challenges.
In this quote, Jimmy Connors expresses his perspective on tennis, highlighting that for him, the sport is not merely a job or a chore, but a source of joy. He suggests that the harder the competition and the longer the matches, the more he relishes the experience, emphasizing the importance of passion and enjoyment over obligation in pursuing one's interests.
In practice
During a sports motivational seminar to inspire young athletes.
I had true rivalries. Not only did I want to beat my opponent, but I didn't want to let him up, either. I had a rivalry with Mac, Lendl, Borg. Everybody knew there was tension between us, on court and off. That's what's really ingrained in my mind: 'This is real. This isn't a soft rivalry.' There were no hugs and kisses.
I think my greatest victory was every time I walked out there, I gave it everything I had. I left everything out there. That's what I'm most proud of. I can't go win Wimbledon anymore, so if what I've done in the past is not good enough, let it go. Because I'm certainly not sitting around thinking about it.
I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us.
Technique is not being able to juggle a ball 1000 times. Anyone can do that by practicing. Then you can work in the circus. Technique is passing the ball with one touch, with the right speed, at the right foot of your team mate.
The way I figured it, I was even with baseball and baseball with me. The game had done much for me, and I had done much for it.
When you coach Russ Smith, you have a nervous breakdown on every possession. He's not from a different country. He's from a different planet.
They invented the All-Star game for Willie Mays.
If Messi is the best in the world, it's only because Cristiano is from another planet.
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