John Newcombe Quotes

In cricket, there is a lot of psychology in the game, especially if you are watching people who are not top-class.

Sports is about balls and about heart and you don't find too many champions in any sport in the world without heart or balls. He might have them, but against Nadal they shrink to a very small size and it's not once, it's every time.

The coaches of some players who are my own age keep saying publically about me: "This guy is going to be one of the greats." I am clever enough to know that they do not truthfully think so. They are trying to shake my confidence. Of course, this is a matter of tactics.

The US Open flag eliminates a lot of players. Some players just weren't meant to win the US Open. Quite often, they know it.

Every time I ran the mile I was aware of my own weakness, there was some opponent who could give me a hell of a fight, so I never went into a race with a sense of invincibility. I always had that feeling of fragility and nerves which made me run faster.

You can talk about strategy all you want, but what really matters is resilience. On the last nine holes of the Masters or the Open, there's going to come at least one point when you want to throw yourself in the nearest trash can and disappear. You know you can't hide. It's like you're walking down the fairway naked. The gallery knows what you've done, every other player knows and worst of all, you know. That's when you find out if you're a real competitor.

I do play tennis, but I don't really like competition. I'm supposed to be so intense, but I hate competition.

Everybody has some part of their game that is easily influenced to choke.

Once you are on court, everything is different. I focus on the match.

You love the competitive one-on-one aspect, where you look across the net, and you're trying to beat your opponent. You're doing everything you physically can to win on that day.

As a player you always feel the pressure and as a team you are always trying to make sure the opposition are under it.

It's not only about a game and tennis, but it's more about the mental things sometimes.

There's always that mental battle, who's going to have that confidence to be on the front foot.

I'm working with elite players, and they test and challenge you.

I wouldn't be in football if I was nervous. You have to look forward to games.

If I have learned anything from my coaches, it's that the next game is the most important. The next game is the one that gives you confidence or gets you into trouble.

Guys like Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal know how to win matches, they don't need to have as much confidence as other players.

That is what all the top players do and if you want to be the best you know you are going to get marked.

Tennis is a tough sport - a long year, a lot of matches, a lot of travelling. It's not easy so being mentally tough is a big attribute. It doesn't come easy, you have to work on it.

As a tennis player, normally you lose almost every week.

I always have to play very aggressive on the court. It's something that's easier said than done.

When you're off the court, that's when it's time to talk or whatever you want to do. But once it goes up, it's time to compete.

Football is a lot to do with mentality.

I just think I play better in the greater scenarios. I just get motivated. I like the big crowds on the centre courts.

I don't know why, but I love the dog eat dog nature of tennis. It's real, it's brutal and there's no hiding place - it's like a one to one street fight. I love the intensity that comes with knowing you walk off court either a winner or a loser. It's daunting but very exciting. There is no one to blame except yourself, no one cares who comes second.