Boris Becker

For a year, I had all sorts of weirdos coming on to me.

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.

Girls are a distraction and can easily cost points.

I didn’t start a war. Nobody died.

I want to be a hero, a small and good kind of hero, even though I know heroes have very short lives.

I’m not a God, I make mistakes.

Growing up, I was taught that a man has to defend his family. When the wolf is trying to get in, you gotta stand in the doorway.

Growing up, I was taught that a man has to defend his family. When the wolf is trying to get in, you gotta stand in the doorway. He has to get through you first before he gets into the house to get your family. I’m one of those guys who wants to be in that door.

[Babies are] a loud noise at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.

It’s much worse to read criticism about your son than yourself.

My #1 priority is being a mother as well and I can work too, so can you!

I am convinced that the norm in Russia should become a family with three children.

[On his mother’s adversity] She had a very difficult beginning… All of my mothers family were killed… and she came to America at the time of the depression. It was not an easy life at all.

You have to get that mom face right, like, ‘Oh, did that happen? Tell me more.’ Trying not to react so you get the good information. I tried to tell Sasha and Malia, ‘Do not go to other 14-year-olds for information, ’cause all you all are dumb. Talk to me.’ It’s like, ‘All of you are dumb. You know nothing. Love you!’ So, let’s just talk about it. Don’t ask Olivia what she thinks about sex. She doesn’t know!

I didn’t want to disrespect my parents, so I never played blues around the house. But I knew then, same as I know today, that I wasn’t doing anything wrong. I think that before they died, they both felt very proud of me.

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.

My father was a perfectionist. We had to hop to everything and have marvelous table manners. I could only wear navy blue and gray and white. He wanted me to be interested in tennis and horses just like a little princess, but I couldn’t stand such things.

I learned in those eight years is that home is where you make it, and we were in the White House for eight years, but it wasn’t the house. It was us in it. It was our value and our love for each other.

When I’m happier and healthier, my family is happier and healthier, and it affects how I interact with my friends and the people I work with.

Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet.

[On his mother] She certainly ran her own race… I thought my mother was nuts.