Rod Laver Quotes

I had not picked up a tennis racket in 15 years, so I tried.

I have a better backhand than forehand.

I've been around tennis, and I have a feeling for the sport. I still play tennis, and I can still do a lot of harm to a lot of people.

I love tennis, love it!

I hit the ball early and move my wrist a lot, so I get bigger angles.

Basically I started playing double handed on both my forehand and backhand side because my first racket was very heavy.

If you serve well, your volleys are going to be so much easier. It has got to do with confidence, obviously.

I am happy with the way I hit the ball. There is a certain element of power into it but not completely. It is like 80 per cent timing and 20 per cent power. Why do I need power hitting when I can clear the ropes with timing?

Every time Wimbledon is on, I am thinking, 'Yes, I could do the same and get out the racket.' Sadly, not the same results.

I started with the two-handed backand before Borg was famous.

If you watch Dominic Thiem and Naomi Osaka, the way the ball comes off the racket is totally different.

I am an avid tennis player.

When we used the small-faced racquets and wood racquets, we had to use every part of the court.

Slowly from just touching the ball I got to making the ball and eventually hitting a decent defensive shot. Because I don't have a lot of weapons I have to use my speed.

A tennis racket lurks in my earliest memories like a sick relative who had come to live with us. When I look at my baby pictures, there it is, resting in my crib in the place of a rattle or chew toy.

In college and high school, you're always taught to hit the ball on the ground and on a line.

The serve is the only thing you know about yourself when you play tennis. If you make it right, you make it right. Nobody can touch you when you serve. Nobody can disturb you. You have the ball in the hand.

Tennis is what I've always wanted to do, so it is my dream to be on top.

It's got to feel good off the face, it's got to look good from on top of the ball. And then, obviously, it's got to perform. But in those iron testings, obviously, I'm just trying to hit the best shots I can.

It's not easy to serve, because I'm not that tall, but I'm trying to be more consistent and to deliver heavier serves.

I play quite a bit of tennis on the side.

When you're a kid and practice on clay, you're always, 'Oh, I wish I could win Roland Garros.'

Play the pass at the right moment - not on a dry pitch and not hitting it hard enough. We don't have to accept it; that was a mistake - no goalkeeper should dribble in this situation.

If there is someone who is able to swing the ball, I believe I have it in me to swing it a bit more than the other bowlers.

When facing bowlers or throw downs, it is not possible to feed the ball in one place at all times; therefore, tennis ball practice comes in handy.