Althea Gibson

Most of us who aspire to be tops in our fields don't really consider the amount of work required to stay tops.

I think I have done enough for sports and made enough of a name for myself to deserve some sort of backing - most of the other girls have it.

In the field of sports you are more or less accepted for what you do rather than what you are.

Being champion is all well and good, but you can't eat a crown.

In sports, you simply aren't considered a real champion until you have defended your title successfully. Winning it once can be a fluke; winning it twice proves you are the best.