During my time I had some very difficult years, and I had very pronounced competition, all by men.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I have a talent for dealing with difficult men.
I'm fortunate to have success, but it was a long and challenging road, so I try to make that not be the case for other women.
From a young age, I was viciously competitive.
Men weren't always happy for me. It was very challenging to watch a woman be so successful.
When I was in my 20s, I wanted to be tough. I discovered that I didn't want to be the woman I was raised to be - a good, traditional wife. When I went out in the world to find a husband, I found that husbands weren't ready to accept the kind of woman I was going to be.
I was a competitive guy growing up.
And so I missed those best years and I find it difficult for me, in groups, to be comfortable.
I could have lived off all the male careers in my family. Everybody was always getting ovations, but I was in the wings.
Winning in women's singles felt surreal. I felt that everything I had done - the hard work, the tough times - was all worth it.
What kept me going through all the years? More than anything, the love of and respect for competition. That's what it comes down to for me. That's why I do this.
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