Quotes from the 2009 Australian Open Interview Room - Week Two
Selected quotes from the players’ post-match press conferences at the 2009 Australian Open…
Commenting after losing in five sets to Fernando Verdasco…ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I'm disappointed that I lost. But I'll try and learn from it. I mean, more important things than, you know, a tennis match. I want to win every one that I play, but I'm not going to get down about it. I worked very hard in the off-season. It's been a good start to the year. You know, I'll try and learn from it. Hopefully, you know, come back a better player. I mean, I think in the match, it's kind of similar to when I lost to Tsonga last year. I think I won more points throughout. So I obviously did have my chances. But sometimes guys serve too well or hit the ball too big. He played great when he was behind… I don't know if I'll be the favorite for a slam, you know, in the next year or so after today. But it doesn't really bother me. For me, I play the match. If I'm the favorite to win, whatever, I play the same as I am when I'm the underdog. I try my best to win. I think I give a hundred percent in all my matches. You know, if I lose, I lose. If I win, I win. It's been a good start to the year. Hope I can continue it.
Responding to whether she feels she’s a natural tennis player or has become great through hard work…
SERENA WILLIAMS: Hmm. I never thought about that. I don't know if I'm a natural. I wasn't that good when I was younger. I was small and I just hit a lot of lobs, so... I think Venus is a natural.
Commenting on Andy Roddick as a competitor…
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, he's clearly a great competitor. You know, Andy influenced me. I think a couple years ago he wasn't playing his best tennis. The guy never gave up. He was at every event, playing every tournament. He never lost confidence. That actually motivated me at that point to do well. I was able to win some tournaments after watching his spirit and competitiveness. I never told him that, but he definitely did influence me to do better and to work harder. So I think he's a great competitor. Too bad he can't beat some women players, but nonetheless he's pretty good (smiling).
Explaining why he retired against Andy Roddick…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, sure. Well, the main reason is cramping and soreness in the whole body. I think the people could see that I was struggling with movement. I couldn't serve the way I served in the first two sets. That third set I just started dropping 20, 30 kilometers per hour first serve. Obviously wasn't -- it was much easier for him to return… He saw that longer rallies are not comfortable for me at that point, so he was using it wisely. Really unfortunate way to end up my Australian Open 2009 here in this way. Really tried my best, but sometimes you can't fight against your own body.
Commenting on his off-season preparation before the Australian Open and whether he’d change anything in the future…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: You learn from your mistakes. Obviously I might have changed a little bit this year. I stayed at home for New Year's Eve after a long time. But I think I had a good preparation. Not really long, but a good one. We tried to improvise as much as we can. Changing the racquet had an impact as well on the general situation. I was getting used to it. Here I found my good rhythm with the new racquet.
Commenting on the rule which allows players to get a massage for cramping as an injury time-out…
ANDY RODDICK: I would disagree with it for -- if it's for -- let me preface this so no one twists it. Everything Novak did today was well within his rights and the rules. It's simply about my opinion of a rule. I don't think you should be able to -- if you want to get something on a switchover for cramping, I think that would be okay. Actually, one of the trainers came and talked to me afterwards, and he said his idea, but you have to get it put through a council, is if you're going to take that for cramping, an extended break, make it a rule that you have to do it before your own serve. I thought that was a pretty well-thought-out idea. But as for physical condition, it's very easy to say, you know, it's one injury, but you can get rubbed for a cramp -- I looked over and I was confused, because I thought it was one injury per timeout, and I saw a calf, a neck, and an arm. But I guess cramping is one condition. There's obviously some wiggle room, a little bit of gray area there. Hopefully we'll be able to do something about it. I think the one that you have to take it before your own serve, and if you don't want to do that then you concede the game until it is your serve, I think that's a good idea.
Responding to what keeps him on Tour and whether it’s the desire to win another Grand Slam…
ANDY RODDICK: Keeping going is a different thing. I'm 26 years old. What the hell else am I going to do with myself? Let's be honest. That's obviously the motivation behind it. You know, I think the other thing is you just don't want to look back on the your career with regrets. As far as like an effort level or anything, I really haven't so far. I'd like to keep that intact.
Describing what he said to Novak Djokovic as they shook hands after their match when Djokovic retired…
ANDY RODDICK: …I said -- I didn't know what was going on, if it was an injury or cramps. He just said the heat was a little much and he was starting to cramp a little bit. I said, I'm sorry that you didn't get a proper chance to defend. I told him I had a lot of respect for him. That was pretty much it.
Commenting on his improved game…
RAFAEL NADAL: …The thing is always have illusion for improve. I never lost this illusion for continuing improve my tennis. I think I have little bit more things to do than a few years ago. I can slice a little bit more, I can go a little bit more to the net. I am playing a little bit better inside the court. That's the things that I am improving, no, or trying to improve. The serve, I improved, but for sure I need improve more.
Describing her thoughts when her opponent in the quarters, Svetlana Kuznetsova was serving for the match…
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I was thinking, Okay, if you lose, you're going to fly coach all the way back to Florida (laughter), how uncomfortable that would be. That motivated me to do a little better.
Discussing Pete Sampras winning 14 Grand Slams and the possibility of Roger Federer winning his 14th Grand Slam…
ANDY RODDICK: Well, I mean, it's -- I think when Pete did it, I was a part of that one, too. I think when he did it in ‘02, everyone was saying how kind of lofty of an achievement it was. I don't know if we thought we would see it any time soon. Little did we know he was going to start it the next year and go after it. I mean, that's for you guys to do. It feels like two different -- it's like my childhood was Pete, and now it's kind of my grown life is Roger. It's different, because you view Pete in kind of this -- I don't know how to put it. I guess Roger is a contemporary of mine which didn't lessen the affect. I see Pete and Andre and I still get a little jittery. It's crazy to think it's come full circle and the magnitude of the numbers he's accomplished, it's pretty scary if you sit down and look at them and go through what it takes to accomplish that.
Commenting on everyone’s reaction to his performance in the past year after beating Andy Roddick and reaching the finals…
ROGER FEDERER: …I'm still surprised how quickly the mood swings with the media, with the fans, with everybody. If I lose a set or two sets against Berdych, everybody is like, Oh, my God, he's not the same anymore. And then you beat Del Potro and everything is back to normal. It's just not the way it's supposed to be, I don't think. You don't lose your edge that quickly. It's just not possible. I know I'm playing well. I feel good. I know sometimes you can always run into a player that's hot and you can lose. I've been able to control my opponents, and definitely got close against Berdych. I still think I fought hard and deserved the victory in the end. Came up with two great victories now against Del Potro and Roddick, and usually that's when I start playing my best: Towards the end of the tournament. I think this is where you should judge a great player.
Describing his mindset starting this season…
ROGER FEDERER: … More maybe kind of the thing starting the year well at Australian Open, winning maybe potentially your first French, getting Wimbledon back after the epic I had with Rafa there, and then winning my sixth at the US Open. That's kind of what's in my mind. And then with good play at the ATP events, at the Masters Series, which I didn't play great last year in, I hope to pick up few of those to get my No. 1 ranking back. That's my mindset going into a new season.
Explaining what he thinks is key to playing well at the start of the season in Australia…
ROGER FEDERER: I don't think there's a real secret to playing well in the beginning of the season, to be honest. You go out there and try hard. You know, I mean, I've had -- I always make sure I have two to three buildups during the year, not just one in the off-season. I usually take one in February and one after Wimbledon and then one at the end of the season. So I basically have three buildups of two, three weeks where I can work really, really hard. For me, in a way, the season never stops. It's just ongoing. I start playing some tournaments, you know, having not played for maybe sometimes five, six weeks. So I go through that occasionally. A new season means, Okay, let's go from zero maybe, but not a whole a lot of change to my mind.
Commenting after his five set loss to Rafael Nadal in the semis in the longest match in Australian Open history…
FERNANDO VERDASCO: … You know, is sad, no, to play one match like this and lost after five hours. But, you know, for the other side, I need to be proud for the tournament I made and the level I played today also. I think it was unbelievable match. You know, we both played unbelievable. I think, you know, Rafa, I said always, you know, in these matches, five sets, he is the toughest player. You know, and I was there all the time, too. So, you know, for sure I will have this match in my mind all my life. You know, I'm so proud of all the things I made today and these two, almost two weeks.
Commenting on the feeling after winning a good point in doubles versus winning one in a singles match…
VENUS WILLIAMS: Hmm. Well, I think that when you play good points in doubles, you tend to smile a little more, enjoy that point with someone else. It's definitely a different kind of feeling, 'cause in singles you're so focused, you don't even smile, you just move to that next point without any kind of elation. In doubles, you kind of celebrate a little bit, even the points and the games. It is definitely different. It's a team.
Describing her feelings after winning the Australian Open title (again)…
SERENA WILLIAMS: This one's right up there with all the rest of the other Grand Slams. I just feel like -- I'm so excited to win, because I wanted to win, and I feel like I needed to win. I don't know, I just really needed it… Well, I wanted to get to 10. And then I felt like, "Okay, well, I really needed that, and I wanted that for me. You never know what happens in life. I feel like, you know, opportunities sometimes don't present themselves twice. I think obviously I'll have that opportunity again, if I didn't win, to get a chance to get to 10. But I felt like this was my chance to take it and run with it.
Commenting after her loss in the finals to Serena Williams and whether she felt pressure in the finals…
DINARA SAFINA: Well, I would say so. You know, it was first time for me to play not only for the Grand Slam, but it's also for No. 1 spot. And I never been through this situation, you know, and she was already. So, I mean, she was much more times in this situation. I would say she was much more experienced than I was today stepping on the court.
Commenting after losing the final to Rafael Nadal…
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I thought it was a good match. But, no, I mean, I think I had, I guess, many chances. You know, I mean, I was up a break in the first twice. Yeah, I mean, I had many chances. I missed them, you know, and they cost me dearly. It was a tough match. I don't think I served particularly well, unfortunately. And I think that was the key to the match in the end.
Describing his feelings immediately after losing the final…
ROGER FEDERER: … I mean, it's more like, you know, in the first moment you're disappointed, you're shocked, you're sad, you know, then all of a sudden it overwhelms you. The problem is you can't go in the locker room and just take it easy and take a cold shower. You can't. You know, you're stuck out there. It's the worst feeling, you know. So, I don't know, it's rough.
Describing his feelings after winning the Australian Open title…
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, very special, no, for me. Is a dream win here, one Grand Slam on hard court. I worked very hard the last -- well, all my life for improve the tennis outside courts, well, outside of clay. Very happy, no? Very happy for the title. Today was really lot of emotions on court. I was there with the best player I ever saw, like is Roger. My uncle always told me Rod Laver was the best because he win two times the Grand Slam, the whole Grand Slam, the four in a row, and for like six or seven years he didn't play. So for that reason he can be. Everything was very special. Sorry was tough moment for Rog today. I know how tough must be there in important situation from him. But, you know, no, he's a great champion. He's the best. And he's, for sure, very important person for our sport, no? So sorry for him, but at the same time congratulate him for everything.
Commenting about whether he was worried before the final that he’d still be tired from his five hour semifinal match…
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, little bit, no. Little bit tired. I was little bit worried about the physical performance because I practiced and was tough to keep the concentration, no? But I spoke with the coach, before all the match, with Toni. He told me, Anyway, you go there and fight all the time and believe on the victory all the time. I think that's what I did in the end. Was good.
ANDY RODDICK: Well, I mean, it's -- I think when Pete did it, I was a part of that one, too. I think when he did it in ‘02, everyone was saying how kind of lofty of an achievement it was. I don't know if we thought we would see it any time soon. Little did we know he was going to start it the next year and go after it. I mean, that's for you guys to do. It feels like two different -- it's like my childhood was Pete, and now it's kind of my grown life is Roger. It's different, because you view Pete in kind of this -- I don't know how to put it. I guess Roger is a contemporary of mine which didn't lessen the affect. I see Pete and Andre and I still get a little jittery. It's crazy to think it's come full circle and the magnitude of the numbers he's accomplished, it's pretty scary if you sit down and look at them and go through what it takes to accomplish that.
Commenting on everyone’s reaction to his performance in the past year after beating Andy Roddick and reaching the finals…
ROGER FEDERER: …I'm still surprised how quickly the mood swings with the media, with the fans, with everybody. If I lose a set or two sets against Berdych, everybody is like, Oh, my God, he's not the same anymore. And then you beat Del Potro and everything is back to normal. It's just not the way it's supposed to be, I don't think. You don't lose your edge that quickly. It's just not possible. I know I'm playing well. I feel good. I know sometimes you can always run into a player that's hot and you can lose. I've been able to control my opponents, and definitely got close against Berdych. I still think I fought hard and deserved the victory in the end. Came up with two great victories now against Del Potro and Roddick, and usually that's when I start playing my best: Towards the end of the tournament. I think this is where you should judge a great player.
Describing his mindset starting this season…
ROGER FEDERER: … More maybe kind of the thing starting the year well at Australian Open, winning maybe potentially your first French, getting Wimbledon back after the epic I had with Rafa there, and then winning my sixth at the US Open. That's kind of what's in my mind. And then with good play at the ATP events, at the Masters Series, which I didn't play great last year in, I hope to pick up few of those to get my No. 1 ranking back. That's my mindset going into a new season.
Explaining what he thinks is key to playing well at the start of the season in Australia…
ROGER FEDERER: I don't think there's a real secret to playing well in the beginning of the season, to be honest. You go out there and try hard. You know, I mean, I've had -- I always make sure I have two to three buildups during the year, not just one in the off-season. I usually take one in February and one after Wimbledon and then one at the end of the season. So I basically have three buildups of two, three weeks where I can work really, really hard. For me, in a way, the season never stops. It's just ongoing. I start playing some tournaments, you know, having not played for maybe sometimes five, six weeks. So I go through that occasionally. A new season means, Okay, let's go from zero maybe, but not a whole a lot of change to my mind.
Commenting after his five set loss to Rafael Nadal in the semis in the longest match in Australian Open history…
FERNANDO VERDASCO: … You know, is sad, no, to play one match like this and lost after five hours. But, you know, for the other side, I need to be proud for the tournament I made and the level I played today also. I think it was unbelievable match. You know, we both played unbelievable. I think, you know, Rafa, I said always, you know, in these matches, five sets, he is the toughest player. You know, and I was there all the time, too. So, you know, for sure I will have this match in my mind all my life. You know, I'm so proud of all the things I made today and these two, almost two weeks.
Commenting on the feeling after winning a good point in doubles versus winning one in a singles match…
VENUS WILLIAMS: Hmm. Well, I think that when you play good points in doubles, you tend to smile a little more, enjoy that point with someone else. It's definitely a different kind of feeling, 'cause in singles you're so focused, you don't even smile, you just move to that next point without any kind of elation. In doubles, you kind of celebrate a little bit, even the points and the games. It is definitely different. It's a team.
Describing her feelings after winning the Australian Open title (again)…
SERENA WILLIAMS: This one's right up there with all the rest of the other Grand Slams. I just feel like -- I'm so excited to win, because I wanted to win, and I feel like I needed to win. I don't know, I just really needed it… Well, I wanted to get to 10. And then I felt like, "Okay, well, I really needed that, and I wanted that for me. You never know what happens in life. I feel like, you know, opportunities sometimes don't present themselves twice. I think obviously I'll have that opportunity again, if I didn't win, to get a chance to get to 10. But I felt like this was my chance to take it and run with it.
Commenting after her loss in the finals to Serena Williams and whether she felt pressure in the finals…
DINARA SAFINA: Well, I would say so. You know, it was first time for me to play not only for the Grand Slam, but it's also for No. 1 spot. And I never been through this situation, you know, and she was already. So, I mean, she was much more times in this situation. I would say she was much more experienced than I was today stepping on the court.
Commenting after losing the final to Rafael Nadal…
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I thought it was a good match. But, no, I mean, I think I had, I guess, many chances. You know, I mean, I was up a break in the first twice. Yeah, I mean, I had many chances. I missed them, you know, and they cost me dearly. It was a tough match. I don't think I served particularly well, unfortunately. And I think that was the key to the match in the end.
Describing his feelings immediately after losing the final…
ROGER FEDERER: … I mean, it's more like, you know, in the first moment you're disappointed, you're shocked, you're sad, you know, then all of a sudden it overwhelms you. The problem is you can't go in the locker room and just take it easy and take a cold shower. You can't. You know, you're stuck out there. It's the worst feeling, you know. So, I don't know, it's rough.
Describing his feelings after winning the Australian Open title…
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, very special, no, for me. Is a dream win here, one Grand Slam on hard court. I worked very hard the last -- well, all my life for improve the tennis outside courts, well, outside of clay. Very happy, no? Very happy for the title. Today was really lot of emotions on court. I was there with the best player I ever saw, like is Roger. My uncle always told me Rod Laver was the best because he win two times the Grand Slam, the whole Grand Slam, the four in a row, and for like six or seven years he didn't play. So for that reason he can be. Everything was very special. Sorry was tough moment for Rog today. I know how tough must be there in important situation from him. But, you know, no, he's a great champion. He's the best. And he's, for sure, very important person for our sport, no? So sorry for him, but at the same time congratulate him for everything.
Commenting about whether he was worried before the final that he’d still be tired from his five hour semifinal match…
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, little bit, no. Little bit tired. I was little bit worried about the physical performance because I practiced and was tough to keep the concentration, no? But I spoke with the coach, before all the match, with Toni. He told me, Anyway, you go there and fight all the time and believe on the victory all the time. I think that's what I did in the end. Was good.
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