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we are the
champions!
ONE OF JOSE MOURINHO’S FAVOURITE SAYINGS IS: ‘BE CHAMPIONS.’ BUT ARE PEOPLE
BORN WINNERS OR ARE THEY MADE? THREE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL SPORTS STARS IN
THE WORLD TODAY SHARE THEIR SECRETS WITH JOHN SCALLY.
Serena Williams
Serena is the most successful
women’s tennis player in the world
and in the last two years has won the
Australian, US Open and Wimbledon
titles. She’s a big believer in taking on
the psychology of a winner. So how
does she see the difference between a
winner and a loser?
“When a winner makes a mistake,
he says. ‘I was wrong;’ when a loser
makes a mistake, he says, ‘It wasn’t
my fault.’
“A winner works harder than a loser
and has more time; a loser is always
too busy to do what’s necessary. A
winner goes through a problem; a
loser goes around it and never past it.
“A winner shows he’s sorry by
making up for it; a loser says, ‘I’m
sorry,’ but does the same thing the
next time. A winner knows what to
fight for, and what to compromise
on; a loser compromises on what he
shouldn’t and fights for what isn’t
worth fighting about.
“A winner would rather be admired
than liked; a loser would rather be
liked than admired. A winner respects
those superior to him, and tries to
learn from them; a loser resents
those superior to him, and tries to find
chinks in their armour.
“A winner feels responsible for more
than his job; a loser says, ‘I only work
here.’”
Profile
D.O.B.: September 26, 1981.
Famous sister: Venus, former World
Number One.
Pro since: 1995.
Type: Right hand, 2 handed backhand.
Off-court interests: Fashion, acting
and charity work.
Olympics: Two gold medals in
doubles.
Grand Slams: She’s the only player
since Steffi Graf to have won all four
Grand Slams.
“A winner knows what
to fi ght for”
Lewis Hamilton
In 2008 Lewis Hamilton became
the World Formula One Champion.
Hamilton believes that life is 10%
what happens to you and 90% how
you react to it. So what’s the secret of
his success?
“In 2008 I started to get more of the
small things right than all the other
teams. We got some unbelievable
guys in from a technical point of
view and we did some good bonding
sessions. I worked hard on my
mental preparation before races
and did very tough physical training.
The mental resolve it created
was invaluable. A nutritionist was
brought in and physical conditioning
was brought to a new level, which
probably reflected how driven I was
– if you’ll pardon the pun! Every little
detail was sorted out.”
Profile
D.O.B.: January 7, 1985.
Hobbies: Guitar, music. Began
go-kart racing aged eight.
Famous girlfriend: Pussycat Doll
Nicole Scherzinger.
Signed with the young McLaren
driving programme: Aged 13.
Became a full-time F1 driver: In
2007.
First nine F1 races: Nine podium
finishes.
In 2008: Became youngest world
champion in history.
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Tiger Woods In 2008 Tiger Woods, who took
up golf at the age of two, was the
highest paid professional athlete
having earned an estimated $110
million. He has very clear ideas
about what’s needed to be a winner,
and one of his favourite sayings is
taken from another golfing legend,
Arnold Palmer:
‘If you think you’re beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you like to win but think you can’t,
It’s almost certain that you won’t.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger woman or man,
But sooner or later those who win
Are those who think they can.’
Profile
Full Name: Eldrick Tont Woods.
D.O.B.: December 30, 1975.
Birthplace: Cypress, California.
Nicknamed Tiger: After a
Vietnamese soldier who was a
friend of his father’s.
Married: In 2004 to Swedish model,
Elin Nordegren.
Lives: Jupiter Island, Florida.
Religion: Buddhist.