2010 Wimbledon Interview Room Quotes - Week Two
Selected quotes from the players’ post-match press conferences at The Championships, Wimbledon 2010...
Explaining how she handles losses…
VENUS WILLIAMS: Exactly. I think as a professional tennis player, I'm in a lot of matches. The way I felt like is I hate hanging on to that feeling when you lose, so I try to put that feeling behind. Learn from the loss, but not hang on to the bad feeling of losing. So I put that behind me, because I'm a little bit older, a little more mature. That's kind of been my motto the last few years; to learn from it but not hang on to it… More the feelings. Like let it go, move on, you didn't win this one, you'll get the next one. Be positive, learn from it.
Commenting on why she plays so well on grass courts…
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think, uhm, on this service you can't pretend; you have to really be a good player. You have to be athletic. You have to be able to play the tough points. The points are quicker, so you can't just kind of keep balls in play and maybe outlast your opponent. You really have to be able to play. I think that suits my game. I play aggressive. I try to make something happen. And I think that, you know, I'm pretty athletic, so that helps.
Commenting on how the heavier tennis balls and slower courts have caused players to serve and volley less…
ROGER FEDERER: It's tough to say. I obviously came here in the year when I played Sampras, let's say, I was serve and volleying 80% of the first serve, 50% on the second serve. I remember once speaking to Wayne Ferreira who I was playing doubles with that year actually. He said he used to serve and volley always first serve, 50% of the second serve. And towards the end of his career at Wimbledon, he used to serve and volley 50% of his first serve and not anymore on his second serve. You wonder, how in the world has that happened? Have we become such incredible return players or can we not volley anymore or is it just a combination of slower balls, slower courts? I think it's definitely a bit of a combination of many things. If I look back, I think we definitely had many more great volley players in the game back then. When you do have that, you are forced to move in, as well, because you don't want to hit passing shots against a great volleyer over and over again. But because we don't have that as much anymore, everybody's content staying at the baseline. A bit unfortunate, I think, because I love guys moving in, like a Melzer match today who throws in the occasional serve and volley. You have to throw in great passing shots. It's unfortunate for the games. Unfortunately, they've slowed down everything, indoors, grass. Everything has become so slow, I think that is a bit of a pity.
Commenting after her loss to Kim Clijsters…
JUSTINE HENIN: Well, it's still very warm. Kim did a lot of mistakes, that's for sure, in the first set, and I was really into it. Slowly but surely, she started to be more intense in the second, putting me under more pressure. I've never been after that really able to come more into the court, you know, and just be in the control of the release. I was running after the ball. That wasn't that easy. You know, a break on grass, things can go pretty fast. So, uhm, in the second and the third, she took all the opportunities and played pretty consistent at that time. So haven't been aggressive enough on the return of the second serve, especially, and generally not enough -- I wasn't enough moving forward, that's for sure.
Commenting on her performance in her round of 16 loss to Serena Williams…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I thought I played really well and I thought I had my chances. You know, if it was not for her really great serving, uhm, I certainly had a real good look at winning the match… I mean, I was right there. I felt really good. You know, I gave her a run for her money. I'm feeling really good. I'm in a much better spot than I was last year. I'm playing a lot better, feeling really great physically. Uhm, I had my chances at the French. I certainly had them today. This only gives me confidence.
Commenting on her necklace…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: My cross? I've had this cross ever since I was a young girl. I've worn it since, I don't know, I was five or six years old. Yeah, I wear it every day. Well, not every day of my life but most of the time. I mean, it's brought a lot of luck in my life. But I don't wear it because it's lucky. I wear it because my parents gave it to me.
Commenting on his recent/past serving problems…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, yes. Well, it had started I think the end of last year. I was playing really well indoor season. Played so many matches, and got to the point of Masters Cup in London, or ATP Tour Finals, how they call it, where I really had a lack of energy and my shoulder was hurting. It was hard for me to get my shoulder up. It got unfortunately into that bad habit. Then I tried to adjust with some things in the racquet. But it was wrong. It was all mental. So it was a fight, a mental fight mostly. But I overcomed it right now. I know it will take a bit longer.
Commenting after his five set loss in the round of 16…
ANDY RODDICK: Well, no. But, I mean, through three sets I was playing horrendously, I mean really, really badly. I mean, to the point where I was trying to think of how to put balls in the court. Actually, I mean, I think the fifth set was probably the best set that I played as far as hitting the ball, you know, making him struggle to actually get through service games sometimes. But when you dig yourself a hole, it's tough to get out, when you've given someone confidence, when they have their feet under them a little bit more… honestly if you would have told me I hit the ball like I did in the fifth, I would have liked my chances at the end of the fourth. Credit to him, because I got into some games. I make him hit a good pass on breakpoint. He stuck a volley. He hadn't taken a first ball and came in all day and he did it down breakpoint. He played high risk, but he executed very well. You know, he had a game plan, he stuck to it, and he deserved to win more than I did. That's for sure…
Commenting how the experience of being in his third straight Wimbledon quarterfinal has helped him…
ANDY MURRAY: Well, I mean, it's not just here. I mean, more playing in Grand Slams, more major tournaments does make a difference experience wise. Anybody will tell you that. In all sports, you just learn how to deal with the situations better. Because you've been in that position before, it's not something completely new. You understand how to prepare better. When you're on the court, you're not as uptight or nervous. You just play the match rather than, you know, everything else that's going on.
Commenting on the “home-court” advantage of playing as a British player at Wimbledon…
ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, it's so important. I mean, you know, I said pretty much every time I came here that it's playing, you know, at home in all sports is just a huge, huge advantage. People talk a lot about the pressure and the expectation of playing at Wimbledon, but, you know, you have that home support, which does for me anyway it's made a huge difference to the way that I played. It makes you feel comfortable on the court. No, I really, really enjoy it. This year the support's been great. Hopefully it will be the same in the next round.
Commenting on having his family with him at Wimbledon…
ANDY MURRAY: …I like having obviously my mum around. Both my parents are here, my grandparents, my aunt and uncle are here, obviously my girlfriend. I mean, I love having my family around. I love having friends around. Yeah, it just makes you feel more at home, more comfortable. When you're on the court, it doesn't make as much of a difference. It's more off it, just having your friends and family around. It's really nice. The rest of the year you don't really get that.
Commenting after losing in the quarterfinals on what she will work on to improve for the U.S. Open…
KIM CLIJSTERS: Obviously what I always want to work on is my serve, and, you know, making sure that I get a higher first serve percentage. But when you play girls who hit the ball hard, and especially women's tennis these days, everybody hits the ball hard and flat and deep. I think I have the habit of probably not finishing my service motion to a full end because as soon as I land with my first foot, I'm already pushing back to be ready for that next shot. So you have to make a choice. You want to be ready, you know, maybe a little bit later for the next shot because you want to have a higher percentage of serve. I'm really trying to work on that. Obviously, you know, in practice it's going well. In matches, it's your habits that come back at the most important moments in the match.
Responding, after being upset in the quarters, whether she still wants it as much at this stage of her career…
VENUS WILLIAMS: I hate losing, so... I think anytime you accept losing, it's definitely a good time to walk away. At this time I feel like I'm playing great tennis, but obviously I have to avoid having days like this. It's not a good thing for me.
Commenting about how she could avoid bad days/tennis such as she played in her quarterfinal loss…
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think it's important to stay in the moment. I think sometimes when you miss some shots you get caught up in the ones you miss, not the ones you need to make. Obviously I expect a lot from myself. Of course, I'm disappointed if I'm not playing the tennis I think I can play. It's important to stay in that moment, and that's not always easy.
Competing in the Legends matches and commenting on her experience as a young, famous player…
ANNA KOURNIKOVA: It wasn't that I wanted to come talk to you guys. Now I enjoy it. But before all I really wanted was get back into the locker room, get my therapy done, get my stretching done, go home, have my room service, get ready for tomorrow. Really, uhm, you know, the fame and everything, I guess most of it was created by you guys, by the media a lot of times, most of the time the yellow press. Never tried to pay attention. I mean, obviously it was a little hard times dealing with it being 16, 17 years old, reading some kind of crap about yourself, you know. Most of it was made up. But at the same time I understand why because I wasn't giving a lot of information. My mom tried to keep me very protected, which a lot of times people didn't really like her that much for that because she was trying to guard me in a way. If I had a 16 year old kid, I would try to guard them as much as I can and keep the focus on what the kid is supposed to do: play tennis, work out, do your therapy. It's hard. I was being pulled in every single direction. Really there was no guides or rules. My mom and me, we were just learning everything as we were going through it. I was here 15 years old, Wimbledon. I played a Centre Court match. I wasn't even seeded or anything. It's a lot for a kid.
Commenting at the end of her press conference…
ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Really, that's it? Suddenly when I'm older, I'm enjoying the press conferences (laughter). I thought we were just getting started.
Commenting after being upset by Tomas Berdych in the quarters…
ROGER FEDERER: Like I said, I think he was a bit more consistent than in the past. I lost to him in Miami this year, where it was a really tight match as well. But from my end, obviously, you know, I'm unhappy with the way I'm playing. I couldn't play the way I wanted to play. You know, I am struggling with a little bit of a back and a leg issue. That just doesn't quite allow me to play the way I would like to play. So it's frustrating, to say the least. Looking forward to some rest anyway… when you're hurting, it's just a combination of many things. You know, you just don't feel as comfortable. You can't concentrate on each and every point because you do feel the pain sometimes. And, uhm, yeah, then you tend to play differently than the way you want to play. Under the circumstances I think I played a decent match, you know. But I've been feeling bad for the last two, three matches now. It's just not good and healthy to play under these kind of conditions, you know. So if there's anything good about this it's I'm gonna get some rest, that's for sure.
Commenting on what has changed/improved for him recently so he is playing better now…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I don't think game wise I was far away from my maximum and from my top game in the last couple months. It was more like a mental struggle, I guess. I wasn't finding myself on the court. I was uhm, had too much distractions, meaning mental discomfort on the court; wasn't feeling great; had a lot of ups and downs. But it's a part of the sport, part of the career. You just have to accept it that way. I'm sure everybody has been through that little mini crisis if you want to call it. But it's important to take the best out of it and continue in the right way. That's what I did. I just want to look forward now… You know, you always face some things. Sometimes on the court you think about things off the court which you shouldn't and you keep your focus away from what you should do. That's about it.
Commenting on closing out his win over Roger Federer in the quarterfinals…
TOMAS BERDYCH: Yeah, well, as I said in the interview after the match in the TV, I think it was one of my, like, toughest close up of the match when I was serving. I would say through all my career matches, this one was the toughest one to close up the match against Roger Centre Court in Wimbledon. It's pretty tough. But, you know, I handle it pretty well. I just closing up with my serve. I didn't lost it. And, you know, I mean, that's how it is. It was a really close match, about a few points. This day it just went on my side.
Commenting on seeing on the scoreboard during a changeover of his quarterfinal that Roger Federer was down match point in his quarterfinal match…
RAFAEL NADAL: Sure, I saw that in the scoreboard. Well, doesn't affect on my game, for sure, no? But, yeah, when I am in the changeovers I always watch the rest of the courts, the results. Yeah, I like to do it.
Commenting on how he deals with all the attention, etc. he receives playing at Wimbledon…
ANDY MURRAY: Just by playing here and playing in big matches, you know, how to put -- yeah, you just learn how to put, you know, everything to the back of your mind. I think it's either something you can do or you can't. I don't think you can be taught how to do it. I think it's something that you're either able to do or you can't. I've been lucky enough the last few years to not let that affect me.
Commenting on what it means for her to reach her first Wimbledon final…
VERA ZVONAREVA: You know, I'm very excited. I think I haven't realized it yet that I will be playing in the final. But, yeah, it's one of my dreams to be out there, to be on the Centre Court, and play in the finals of Wimbledon. So at the moment, you know, I think I'm thinking too much about my final. But I'm sure when the tournament finishes, finally I will realize that it's, you know, one of my dreams came true and I was able to make it to the final.
Commenting on how she has matured and tries to handle situations better…
VERA ZVONAREVA: I always believe in myself. I always know that, you know, I can do anything. For me, I think it came with an experience and I know better how to handle different situations. But, uhm, I don't care what people say around. And when they do, I can get I can break the racquet, but it doesn't mean I'm not there in the match. I'm trying all the time. But I think right now experience helps me a lot. I've been in a lot of different situations in the past of my career, and I think I know how to turn the matches around much better now. Even if something is not working, I think I know in my head that I just have to take it one point at a time and just keep trying. In the end, we will see what's going to happen.
Commenting on what is her biggest challenge going into the final…
SERENA WILLIAMS: Just putting too much pressure on myself, I think. On paper it looks like I should win. But Vera, I've played her several times; she's beaten some good people. Her last two matches she's been down a set, so she's obviously a fighter. She never gives up. So I think that will be -- the biggest thing, is for me to stay positive and not put too much pressure on myself.
Commenting after beating Novak Djokovic to reach the Wimbledon final…
TOMAS BERDYCH: Well, I mean, right now it's great feeling so far. I'm just trying to be enjoying the victory of today. You know, I think I will try to do the same as I did after Roger. So, you know, today just be thinking about today's match, and since tomorrow, just leave it on side and just get ready for the finals. I'm still not done yet here. One more to go.
Explaining why he is playing so well now at the age of 24…
TOMAS BERDYCH: Well, it's many things. Definitely starts in the first round. You just need to go step by step and beat every player. You know, coming to every match, every opponent with the same goals, same tactics: be concentrated, be patient, and try your best. So far, works pretty well.
Commenting on where he was last year during the men’s final when he was out with a knee injury…
RAFAEL NADAL: I watched at home, yeah, on the sofa… Just enjoying beautiful match. Was a very emotional match. I liked the tennis, so I enjoyed the match. I wasn't ready to be here, so my mind wasn't here.
Commenting on what made the difference in why he beat Andy Murray in the semis…
RAFAEL NADAL: When you win these matches, is always the same thing: is play well and the mental thing. Mental part is decisive, no? If we talk about the technique, I served well some moments. Most of the time my serve works well. And, sure, my feeling with the forehand was very good during all the tournament, yeah. Forehand makes the difference.
Commenting after losing the final to Serena Williams…
VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, you know, I think it's great to be in the final, and think I will realize it later. But at the moment I think I'm still a bit disappointed with the performance today. I think I could have ‑ not with the result but more the way I played ‑ I could have done better today. I did not show my best today, and it's a bit disappointing because it's the final. You know, you don't reach the Wimbledon final every day, so... But overall, you know, Serena played really well. She didn't give me chances to get into the match.
Commenting on Serena Williams’s serve…
VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, she can use different serves. She can hit flat and she can use what is very good on the grass, effective on the grass, is a slice serve wide where it's very difficult to return. Then, you know, you can cover one side, but then she can go flat very hard the other side. So she always changes it. And the second serve she can put so much rotation in, so it's very difficult to attack it, as well. I think I made a mistake today. I stepped back, and I should have been more aggressive on her second serve. But, you know, it's something that I will keep in my mind for the future.
Commenting on whether she still gets nervous before matches/finals…
SERENA WILLIAMS: Absolutely. I mean, I'm not ‑‑ I'm totally human. I feel like it's not easy to go out there and just be -- especially when everyone's expecting you to win, it makes it even more difficult.
Commenting on how she’d build the perfect game…
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think if I'd build the perfect game. I'd have Nadal's speed. I'd have like, I don't know, Roger's forehand. I would keep my serve so it can kind of keep it even. Then I don't know. Maybe Venus' reach.
Responding to whose mind she’d want…
SERENA WILLIAMS: I'd keep mine.
Commenting on why he lost the final to Rafael Nadal…
TOMAS BERDYCH: Yeah, he was really good. I mean, he was strong. I think the biggest difference between us was that when he get a chance, he just took it, you know. He give me one in the second set, one in the third set, and none of them I can, you know, bring it to my side and just made a break. That just show how strong he is. I think it was just really about the small difference.
Commenting on the crowds at Wimbledon…
RAFAEL NADAL: You know, probably is the best crowd of the world, no? More respect. They have a lot of respect for every player, I think. If I speak about myself, was always amazing with me, the crowd, especially yesterday or two days ago when I played against Andy Murray, a British player. For sure the crowd support him, but the same time was supporting me a lot, no? That's unbelievable. Just can say thank you very much.
After winning the Wimbledon title, responding about how important the U.S. Open is to him…
RAFAEL NADAL: Right now I'm very happy to win Wimbledon. Yeah (smiling). We gonna think about US Open in one month. Right now we just relax and enjoy for me this amazing season. Was very difficult for me to be back at my best. I did, so is very important and emotional moment for me. I want to enjoy that. For sure, keep working to try to be in the US Open finally ready to try to win. But for sure US Open gonna be one of my goals for rest of my career. But right now is enjoy the beach, fishing, golf, friends, party, and Mallorca.
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