"The silverware and the history books are phenomenal, but it's about learning about yourself and how you can handle it. That feeling of testing yourself and coming out on top is incredible."

Justin Rose, after becoming the first Englishman to win the US Open since Tony Jacklin at Hazeltine in 1970.

"I was satisfied with my game in the past 10 months. Maybe people thought I was playing badly. That was not the case. I was playing well but when it mattered, the others were just better."

Roger Federer, after clinching his first title of the season at Halle, Germany.

"Soccer is never an exact science. We might be amateurs, but in our hearts and our heads, we have to act like professionals. We're proud of ourselves."

Tahiti's player Jonathan Tehau, after scoring against Nigeria in his team's 6-1 loss at the Confederation Cup.

"They are the example for other teams ... it was a joy to play in that match and not just because we won so easily, but because they were sporting and despite losing they played with a smile on their faces from the first kick to the last."

Fernando Torres after scoring four goals against Tahiti during the Confederations Cup.

"Listen, I can't worry about what everybody says about me. I'm LeBron James, from Akron, Ohio, from the inner city. I'm not even supposed to be here. That's enough. Every night I walk into the locker room, I see a No 6 with James on the back, I'm blessed. So what everybody says about me off the court, don't matter. I ain't got no worries."

LeBron James, commented after joining Michael Jordan and Bill Russell as the only players in league history to win back-to-back Finals MVP and regular-season MVP awards.

(China Daily 06/23/2013 page8)