Arthur Ashe: You are never really playing an opponent

The late, great tennis legend Arthur Ashe likened sporting competition to not playing an opponent, but playing yourself in in terms of expanding your limits to the highest thresholds:

“You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy.”

This quote is likened to UFC featherweight Conor McGregor, who also focusses on expanding his abilities to the highest degree, and doesn't worry about his opponent:

There is no opponent...You're against yourself, and I just feel like I'm able to beat myself...I can beat my mind.