Andrea Bocelli Quotes

Some players like to practise right up to the start of play. But for me, whatever warming up I did was only going to be followed by cooling down again.

I think if I get the training spot on, the equipment perfect and I'm in the right state of mind, I can get a result there from no competitive action.

People expect you to play your best, so I go through a routine to prepare myself so that I know I'm physically and mentally ready - prepared for the game.

When you're doing any event on an elite level, you're in tune with your body.

My biggest thing I've learned is just putting time into getting ready. When we're young, you just go on the court and just hoop. But I think as you get older, it's more about, making sure everything is firing and making sure everything is ready to go and warmed up.

My concentration level blocks out everything. Concentration is why some athletes are better than others. You develop that concentration in training and concentrate in a meet.

I'm supposed to relax and concentrate on the image of myself out there skating my race.

Maybe I'll put my iPod in two minutes before. But truly, I've listened to actors say that they loved to listen to music before a shot, and I really understand that now because it puts you in the mood and gives you energy.

We say no to lots of things that would please us. I would like to punch people every now and then, but I don't. I would like to have something for free rather than pay for it. I would like to skip to the front of the line... I don't mean to brush aside the taste of meat, which is a powerful attraction. But its power is not without limit.

I've realised over the years I play my best when I have time to prepare for each tournament as best as possible.

Top athletes understand that to play at their best, they must alternate periods of intense performance with periods of strategic renewal.

I really didn't realise until I got back the work that goes into a performance. You're like an athlete - if you haven't been practising things tighten up. I had to do a lot of practice work, but I got through it. Even when I was 21 I would have a 40-minute nap on the day of a show, and I will still do that.

A person in my position has to restrain himself.

Every Olympic athlete prepares differently. For me, I am 100 percent into the sport. And if I decide to really make a crucial career decision to say, 'This is something I want to do,' I want to leave no stone unturned in my preparation.

As important as having strength is knowing how to use it.

We all have to recognize, no matter how great our strength, we must deny ourselves the license to do always as we please.

I listen to music before my competitions to get me pumped up. It helps me stay focused.

I have to be composed; I have to be poised. I have to remember what my first piano teacher told me: 'You do not touch that piano until you are ready and until they are ready to listen to you.

Self-control is true power.

I need to continue to be wise, be efficient and prepared for every game that I play leading up to the Olympics.

I train and prepare for every contest the same so I can compete to the best of my abilities.

Being a great physical athlete is wonderful, and you need it at this level to be able to train and prepare accordingly. But the closer it comes time to perform, the ratio switches. When you're in camp, it's 90 percent physical and 10 percent mental. But as you get to fight night, it's the opposite.

You don't get to the highest levels of the sport without having the basics in order.

A bit of nervousness is essential as in a way it helps you deliver your best.

I don't like to come to tournaments, like, one week before, because I just need, like, a few days, and then I'm ready to go for it.