The Championships, Wimbledon 2009 Interview Room Quotes - Week Two
Selected interview quotes from the players’ post-match press conferences at The Championships, Wimbledon 2009…
Commenting on the Final against Andy Roddick compared to other finals he’s played…
ROGER FEDERER: It was difficult, because I thought Andy played great. You know, I mean, I'm obviously -- I know how it is to play a Wimbledon final. I know how it is to play a fifth set in the final, in a Wimbledon final. But it felt different. It was so different to what I experienced the last few years with Rafa, you know, where it was a baseline game. Today it was a serve and return game, which is more classical for grass. You know, I mean, it's frustrating at times because I couldn't break Andy till the very, very end. So satisfaction is maybe bigger this time around to come through, because I couldn't control the match at all.
Commenting on playing in front of friends and family…
ROGER FEDERER: I used to get nervous when a friend would come watch me play as a kid, and then it was my parents, and then it was legends and people I really -- who meant something. Today it's okay. Today anybody can come and watch me play. I don't get nervous anymore. Today with Pete (Sampras) it was a bit special, you know. When he walked in and I saw him for the first time, I did get more nervous actually… I said hello to him, too, which is unusual. But I thought, I don't want to be rude, you know (laughter).
Describing what it took to win 15 Grand Slam titles…
ROGER FEDERER: Uhm, just the fight, you know, because I'm famous for, you know, being all casual and relaxed out there, not showing much. But, you know, we all know how different it was, you know. So for me to come get the player I am today, I mean, I'm surprised, you know. Just because I didn't expect it first of all. I never thought I could be this consistent, that great of a player with so many qualities, you know. Because I know I have qualities everywhere in the game. I know I have also some deficit, you know, which is normal, too. Unfortunately, you can't practice everything in tennis. We play too many tournaments. So we don't have the chance, you know, to work on our games enough. That would be interesting to see if we had six months off, you know, how could you evolve as a player. But there is a certain calendar, and we got to work with it, you know, trying to play well for the short period of time we can, and then also try to work on the game but also have enough breaks. So it's quite interesting how a career goes. But I think I've handled many things the right way, you know, including the media, my personal life. I'm happy where my life has sort of improved, I would say, because it's so much fun on the tour right now. I love traveling. I always kept things happy. I think that's key, you know, to a long career.
Commenting on whether he derived any satisfaction from his performance at Wimbledon…
ANDY RODDICK: Well, you know, I took some satisfaction in December and in November when we started to move forward. It was to give yourself an opportunity to win tournaments like this. I feel like, you know, I did give myself that opportunity today. It didn't work out, but, you know, I definitely gave myself a look.
Commenting on what makes Roger Federer so tough…
ANDY RODDICK: I don't know. I mean, I don't know where to start there. You know, he just makes it real tough. You know, he was having trouble picking up my serve today for the first time ever. He just stayed the course. You know, you didn't even get a sense that he was even really frustrated by it. He kind of stayed the course and just toughed it out. He gets a lot of credit for a lot of things, but not a lot of the time is how many matches he kind of digs deep and toughs out. He doesn't get a lot of credit for that because it looks easy to him a lot of the times. But he definitely stuck in there today.
Commenting on whether she’d like to be remembered as the greatest female player…
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, that would be a great legacy. I'm really just playing for me, whether I'm the greatest or not. I can't even put myself in a sentence with the greatest, because I think of people like Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf and Billie Jean King. You know, they were such great champions. To even be mentioned with those people is a real honor to me. I feel like I'm really young. I feel like I'm only thinking about my career and continued playing.
Commenting on winning Grand Slam title versus her charitable work, e.g. opening a school in Africa…
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, like I said, when I went to Africa and when we opened that school with HP, Hewlett Packard donated all those computers, that was better than holding up the trophy today. You see these people who are living souls who you actually are helping to learn, help get an education, which can ameliorate their country. I feel like for me that was the most wonderful moment in my career.
Responding to whether she sees herself as Number One…
SERENA WILLIAMS: I see myself as No. 2. That's where I am. I think Dinara did a great job to get to No. 1. She won Rome and Madrid (laughter).
Commenting on Serena’s play in the Final…
VENUS WILLIAMS: She played great, especially in the tiebreak. I don't think I did too many things wrong in the tiebreak. Just, you know, I would just play a good shot and she'd just hit a winner off of it or put me in a position where she could hit another winner. So she just played a great tiebreak. You know, I played a good tiebreak, but she played a great one. She just played a lot of great shots today.
Commenting on her slice and why she doesn’t slice that frequently…
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. In fact, I know how to slice very well actually. I have a great slice. I just -- I don't know. I'm a shover. Some people push, but I shove. That's my mentality. I have to just hit, and I can't help it. It's just hard to change my mind. So will I slice one day? Probably. But if I have a chance to hit it or slice it, I'm gonna hit it.
Describing the big difference between playing Serena and the other opponents she faced at Wimbledon this year…
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, I think the big difference between her and, you know, me also when we play people is just the serve. You know, there are women out there who also can serve big. We serve big, but we also serve very effectively, especially off the first serve. It seems like when we need that first serve, most of the time it's there. So I think, you know, that was one of the big differences.
Responding whether she felt pressure as the defending champion…
VENUS WILLIAMS: I've never had defending champion pressure. It's an honor to be a defending champion. And second is that you already won the title the year before. It's your title. So, you know, no one can take that. Just try for another one.
Commenting, after winning his semi, about all the records he’s achieving…
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, look, I'm very proud of all the records I've achieved, because I never thought I would be, you know, that successful as a kid. You know, I would have been happy winning a couple tournaments and maybe collecting Wimbledon, you know, sort of achieving the dream scenario, you know. But not really all those records. But it's quite staggering now, you know, having reached again I think it's my sixth straight Grand Slam final I've achieved, as well. Having so many things going for me now again, opportunity again on Sunday, it's fantastic. Quite amazing to be back in the Wimbledon final already because it seems like now all of a sudden everything happened very quickly.
Describing what he admires about Pete Sampras…
ROGER FEDERER: I think his success here at Wimbledon, you know, being able to win it seven times. It's amazing. You know, winning it three times, coming back, winning it four times, going for five, it's quite something. And, you know, he finished off with the US Open victory. It was very special against his biggest rival Agassi. I think that's what I'll remember most of him. But especially his fluid game. I guess the best serve we've seen in tennis history, even though today we also have some good ones. But it's just the way he used it and the way he backed it up. And, you know, what a smooth mover he was, as well, which he never really got credit for. There's many things that Pete did incredibly well.
Commenting after reaching the Final if he ever doubted he would play a Grand Slam Final again…
ANDY RODDICK: Oh, yeah, yeah. Last year after I played here, I mean, that was a hard, hard couple of weeks. You know, Brook and I had a lot of talks on where I thought -- if I still thought I could play and at least be, you know, towards the top of the game. I definitely openly questioned it at that point. You know, then the rest of the year I was kind of hurt. So this off-season, we said, You know what, if you're not gonna be up there, let's at least not wonder. Let's prepare yourself and give yourself every opportunity. You know, I did work real hard and, you know, was committed, and have been committed, you know, from everything to diet to sleep to everything. So, you know, I certainly gave myself every opportunity to succeed.
Describing what part of his game he’d like to improve…
ANDY MURRAY: Maybe coming to the net is something that, you know, I have worked on a lot, but I haven't used it that much in the matches. The thing that is quite tough now, because of the way the rankings and stuff work, all of the tournaments become very, very important. So it's tough to sort of go on the court and just work on things in matches. But that's something that I practice a lot and I'll try and get better at.
Commenting after her tough three set semifinal loss to Serena Williams…
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, I think it was a very close match, and I think we both were playing very well today. It was a good fight. Actually, I feel very satisfied the way I was playing today. The only regret I have, maybe I should take a little bit more risk on match point, should go down the line. But overall it was a good match… I think it's good that I was able to play a very good tennis today. For sure I feel disappointing because it was a very close match. But I think the way I was playing is more important than result.
Commenting on her record the past year…
DINARA SAFINA: Well, I've been in last four Grand Slams, I reach at least semifinal. I mean, they haven't been in the semifinal of the French Open. I think this is the result of how you play the whole year. It's not about one, two tournaments how you play. It's a result of tournament by tournament, day to day that you play. I think this is the end result. I mean, it's not like just that you focus on the Grand Slam. I won Rome. I won Madrid. I been in the final French Open. I been in the final of Australia. Yes, I haven't won it, but this is not end of the world. But I still play consistent.
Describing how she would celebrate winning her semi…
VENUS WILLIAMS: Cranberry sauce. I'm actually a candy addict. That's the closest I can get to, like, sugar, is cranberry sauce and raisins. So those are the two things that when I celebrate, it's with cranberry sauce.
Commenting, after reaching the semis where he was to face Roger Federer, on his past and present Wimbledon experience …
TOMMY HAAS: Yeah, well, I mean, basically I think if you just look through the past, I don't know, maybe 13, 14 years of me playing Wimbledon, you know, there's a lot of bad luck involved. Even the matches that I have lost in the third round to maybe get a little further, you know, I've lost a lot of tight ones. I always felt like deep down Wimbledon will maybe still have something left for me. It better come up soon, because I'm not getting any younger. This is obviously the best results, the best tennis I've played here, the best I've been feeling. And, you know, unfortunately my next opponent is a really tough hurdle to go by. But, you know, I feel like I'm playing some great tennis. We've had a good battle at the French, but I'm obviously realistic of who my opponent is. So we don't need to talk much about it. Just go out there and compete hard and see what happens.
Talking about all of his past injuries, etc.
TOMMY HAAS: You can look at life many ways, you know. Sometimes you are a little bit more unlucky than other players. Some bodies hold up better than others. You know in every other sport, as well. If you follow sports in general, some people just are away from injuries, and some are not. Some people are mature at a very young age and have the right team around you, and some don't. So, you know, you can look at it many ways. You know, I'm sure there's been a little bit of an unlucky side in many ways, but also a lot of lucky sides in my career. So, you know, to be where I am and what I have achieved, to be living and playing the sport that I love for this long, you know, I can't complain.
Describing what he’ll take away from his play at Wimbledon this year…
LLEYTON HEWITT: Yeah, absolutely. I think just knowing what I'm capable of playing like and the standard that I'm able to play over five sets against the best guys in the world, back‑to‑back matches in Grand Slams. And, yeah, as I said early in the week, I've had to put myself out there and try and play a lot of tournaments this year to get back in that routine of playing a lot of matches. Even though I lost this one today, I came through the tight match against Stepanek, the clutch match against Del Potro. Even though I played a lot of those years ago, you still got to get back in that routine.
Talking about playing Andy Murray in front of the British Centre Court crowd…
ANDY RODDICK: I'm looking forward to it obviously. We might be able to count the people for me on this hand. But I think it will certainly be something to remember. I think the crowd's gonna be electric. I think it's gonna be a great atmosphere, and one that I can certainly appreciate, even if it's not for me. I'm just gonna pretend when they say, C'mon, Andy, that they mean me (smiling).
Commenting on why he’s tough to beat on grass courts…
ROGER FEDERER: Look, I don't know. Maybe I like to play short points, you know. I don't mind playing one-, two-shot rallies. I also don't mind longer rallies. I think especially on grass, all my strength, you know, becomes even better. I become so much more dangerous. Maybe I move better than many players on grass, as well. Obviously, I have a lot of experience, as well. I think grass is a surface you can't maybe learn to play on so much and you don't get an opportunity that often, and that's why I think it's maybe one of the reasons why it's so hard to beat me.
Describing juggling his matches with becoming a father soon since his wife, Mirka, is pregnant…
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I kind of went through it in Paris already. You know, going through semifinals, finals days, Mirka being pregnant, you know, it feels good, you know, because she's completely relaxed. That helps me in a big way, to not be distracted a whole lot. But she's been very supportive, you know. I expected her to be a bit more nervous maybe or, you know, not feeling maybe so well. But she's been really terrific, you know, and that's made it easy for me anyway to concentrate on tennis. We're just gonna try to, you know, push through this weekend, you know, and then after that she can completely relax, even though she is already. There's still obviously the pressure with all the big matches, and especially towards the final weekend. But, yeah, I'm very happy the way things are right now. It's gonna be exciting, I'm sure, the rest now.
Commenting on his performance and whether he has tried to “tone down” his personality at all…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I haven't really. It's just that there are some other players who are, you know, in the spotlight. Obviously, Murray coming up, Del Potro. They've been playing really well lately. And Roger coming back, as well. You know, I guess you always get more attention more successful you are. I was consistent with my results even in this year, but I wasn't that successful on the Grand Slam. I didn't make that step further than quarterfinals. But, no, I mean, you know, I'm still the way I am. I just think that the difference, you know, is a little unpatience in that important moments. I think I get nervous a little bit more than I used to. And I guess that's probably pressure that I feel. But I shouldn't.
Commenting on her serve after hitting 15 double faults in her match…
DINARA SAFINA: 15? I thought it was much more (smiling). Yeah, I don't know. Sometimes even I don't know what I'm doing with my serve. I mean, yesterday's match I'm serving the whole third set very good. Suddenly I warm up, I'm serving good, everything good, and suddenly I come and just... I think for the serve, it's not me there serving. Because there I say like, Okay, go down, go up, do this. Then I toss the ball and I'm already by the fence running. I am just escaping the serve.
Commenting on whether her success is the result of talent or hard work…
SERENA WILLIAMS: I definitely put most of it to hard work and good training. I feel like, you know, I do have talent and I've been really blessed to have some talent, but also feel like I'm not sitting down on my couch never training. I actually work pretty hard at what I do to turn that talent into more talent.
Commenting on practicing with sister, Venus…
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, it's an advantage for me, because I feel like when she's practicing she works so hard. I don't play my best tennis in practice whatsoever. So when I practice against her, it's like I can kind of gauge how I am and how I'm doing. It really makes me lift the level of my game.
Commenting ,after winning her quarterfinal match, if she ever stops and reflects on what she’s accomplished so far…
SERENA WILLIAMS: No. What I think about is I have plenty of time to think about that when my career is over. I never want to become satisfied with what I may or may not have done, because I feel like there's so much more I would like to do. I'm sure there's so much more Venus would like to do, as well. So that's how we look at it.
Describing her experience of her very first match in Oakland, California years ago…
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, yeah, I remember a lot about that night. I got to the tennis and I left my clothes on the bed in the hotel. So that wasn't the best start. But it was great times then. I had a lot of positive feedback growing up that I would be a winner and that I would win tournaments. So from a young age when, you know, your coaches tell you that, you believe it. So I was kind of brainwashed in a good way… I wasn't nervous after the warmup. I remember thinking I wasn't very good at lobs. I've since improved. I remember thinking in the warmup like, I wonder if I'll be able to put the lobs up for her. That was like one of my biggest fears. So it puts everything into perspective when you're only, what was I, 14.
Explaining why he appreciates his success even more these days…
ANDY RODDICK: Uhm, you know what, I don't think -- you know, this place and this setting has ever really been lost on me. I think I've always had a pretty good appreciation for it. Yeah, I think I enjoy the process more now. Maybe not even so much just the victories at the tournament, but the work, the practice, the day-to-day stuff. I probably enjoy that a lot more than I did before.
Commenting on who he sees as the fastest movers on Tour today…
ANDY RODDICK: That's tough. There are so many. There's so many good movers. A lot of it's surface specific, you know. Monfils is an unbelievable mover on clay. But on grass, I don't know if that translates with the sliding and all of that. Roger and Rafa are probably some of the best all-around movers, regardless of surface. Murray moves great for his size. Ferrer moves great. I mean, the thing is, I could give you less names if you asked me who doesn't move well. I think it's a necessity at this point. I hear a lot of people talking about juniors, and a lot of times my first question is, How are their legs? I feel that's an aspect that gets overlooked a lot.
Commenting on playing under the roof during the first match played on Centre Court with the roof closed…
AMÉLIE MAURESMO: It makes the conditions a little bit different. It does. I would say the ball is flying a little bit more. That's how I felt. And we both kind of took a little time to adjust. Then was okay. But, yeah, I would say it's flying more. And then visually when the ball is in the air and when you have the overhead or stuff, it's very bright. It's really bright. But, no, it's good. It's a plus, definitely, for the tournament to be able to play. Of course, we haven't seen really bad days so far in the tournament. But I remember a few editions of Wimbledon when we would really have needed a roof. So it's a good thing.
Explaining why she described herself as a control freak…
VENUS WILLIAMS: Off the court I don't think I'm controlling, no. I mean, of my own life, for sure. I live my life. I don't want to play a role in it. But I'm a little bit obsessive. But I think every tennis player, every athlete is either obsessive or compulsive or something. Because you can't get this good without some kind of a little idiosyncrasy.
Commenting on what he’s most pleased about with his game now…
ROGER FEDERER: Just being relaxed out on court. You know, no signs of panics, what I maybe had, you know, six months ago when I played. I would just feel uneasy. I wouldn't be exactly sure what the right plays were. Now I feel perfect. You know, so from this standpoint it was great. I think I'm moving well, serving well. My rhythm from the baseline is well. So, you know, I'm just really, really pleased from this aspect.
Describing his first experience on Centre Court several years ago…
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I had an especially interesting first Centre Court appearance with playing Pete obviously. That adds to the whole drama. I mean, normally you only make it on Centre if you're very good yourself or if you play a top player yourself. So from that standpoint it's always very interesting, always your first Centre Court appearance. Obviously playing Pete, going for his fifth Wimbledon, quite ironic now looking back at it. Cold hands. Pulse was racing. Disbelief, you know, that I was actually playing my hero, but also being for the first time on Centre Court. So my head was spinning. But took me a couple of games and I was in it. It's interesting how the mind then, you know, goes into focus; whereas before there's so many questions, so many things flying around all around Centre Court.
Describing how he reviews and prepares for matches…
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I always talk about my matches with Severin, for instance. I would like to play the way probably the opponent would play, what his strengths, what his weaknesses are, what's been working in my game so far this tournament, and whatnot, you know, how to avoid playing bad. You know, you just put everything on the table and you talk about how you would like to approach the match. And I've done it many times. There's times where, you know, when I didn't have a coach, didn't have a manager, you just walk out on court. I spoke to Mirka a little bit, because she knows also a little bit about tennis. Today I don't talk to her about it anymore, I talk to Severin. So it works really well.
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