Boris Becker

Before, I wouldn’t have sacrificed anything for tennis but when I met Barbara it was different. I would have sacrificed tennis for Barbara.

Tennis has to be very careful.Not everyone is a computer, it is very good we have John McEnroe. I hope we have a couple more.

I lost in the second round of the French Open and had 10 days off. I went to the Hard Rock Cafe. It was exciting to be away from my parents, to stay in a hotel. Hotels at 17 meant freedom.

Every time you are not practicing someone else is.

The eyes of some of the fans at Davis Cup matches scare me. There’s no light in them. Fixed emotions. Blind worship. Horror. It makes me think of what happened to us long ago.

Girls are a distraction and can easily cost points.

Trouble with the world today is people don’t go to children enough. I don’t like old people. I stay away from them.

Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

The menu is not the meal.

There is joy in work. There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something.

The most closely organized groups and movements in the world are those which have been the least friendly to the people’s progress and liberty.

To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.

Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.

From the day I arrived, California seemed like an enchanted land.

People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent.

Imagine what a harmonious world it could be if every single person, young and old shared just a little of what he is good at doing.

Of all the follies the elder generation falls victim to this is the most foolish, namely, the constant criticism of the younger element who will not be and cannot be like ourselves because we and they are different tribes produced of different elements in the great spirit of Time.

I thought about writing a poem explaining how when you are lost at sea, even if you are rescued and survive, you never really come back. Then I realized everyone that’s ever been in love would already understand.

People create their own experiences.

Don’t ever confuse the two, your life and your work. The second is only part of the first.

When I’m feeling anxious or depressed, I do find it helps to reach for a pen and paper. There is something about writing things down, that hand-eye combination, that makes me feel calmer.