The Championships, Wimbledon 2011 Interview Room Quotes - Week Two
Selected quotes from the players’ post-match press conferences at The Championships, Wimbledon 2011…
Describing her perspective…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Of course. I think in life it's so important to have a good perspective on things. Uhm, I know I always say this, but at the end of the day we're athletes that hit a tennis ball for a living. We're entertainers. We're so fortunate. You know, we really are. We're fortunate that we're in a sport that, despite so many economic challenges, we're able to make great prize money. Our prize money hasn't went down in the last few years; it's rising. I think that says a lot about where our sport is at the moment. And we're just really happy to be a part of it. I mean, I'm very happy and proud to be where I'm from. I know that my family and I have been through many challenges. I'm sure that it's not just me; I'm sure everyone in the draw has faced tough days in their lives, from their childhood to maybe yesterday or whenever. But I think we're very lucky. Yeah, we're lucky to be playing this.
Explaining that she hadn’t noticed that Marion Bartoli was standing a few feet inside the baseline to return her serve…
SERENA WILLIAMS: Really? I didn't see her. When I serve, I don't look at my opponent. I always look down. So I was unaware of that actually.
Commenting about her play after losing to Marion Bartoli in the round of 16…
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I never came here thinking I would lose. That's, you know, my attitude. You know, you win some and you lose some. Today just happened to be the one that slipped under me… You know, I think I did really well, you know, just being able to come back and play and win some matches, uhm, and just really play tough. Even today I lost, but I was able to kind of hang in there and play tough.
And I can only get better. And that can potentially be really scary, because I can only go up from here and I can just do so much more.
Commenting why she seems to play badly and lose against Pironkova at Wimbledon…
VENUS WILLIAMS: It's kind of inexplicable why I manage to play some of my worst tennis against her. It's not like I'm intimidated at all by anybody on tour. I'm not sure why. I don't play my best against her. She runs down a lot of balls. Very consistent off the ground. You know, I had some chances in the second set, but I just kept making errors. But, you know, at least I wasn't making errors kind of trying to keep it in. I made errors that normally would go in as winners. So those balls will land pretty soon.
Commenting on the difference playing on No. 1 Court…
ROGER FEDERER: It's like Centre to some degree, but open. Centre I have so many memories. I've played, what, maybe five times more on average on Centre than on Court 1. You never get an opportunity to practice anyway on all the show courts, so That just makes it just a touch more difficult when you show up on Centre Court on Tuesday when I showed up, or on Court 1 today. It's just not something you're a hundred percent used to. But then again, there is a few center courts around the world that were somewhat built after Court 1 here at Wimbledon. So it doesn't feel completely unnatural. It's just that it's different and takes a bit getting used to.
Commenting on having his children with him on Tour…
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, normally when you have kids, it definitely changes to some degree your mindset. For some who were maybe living in a bubble, that definitely pops that bubble and makes you think there's definitely something else in your life. I thought I always had a very good perspective, you know, on life and on where I wanted to go, how important tennis is to me, how important other things are in life to me as well. I think I was always able to have a great balance. So when the kids came around for me, it was natural. It was something I always wanted to do with Mirka. You have nine months sort of getting ready for it while she's pregnant. You sort of hope it all goes well, which it did. Obviously it's busy, it's intense with twins, but I love every moment of it. I wouldn't want it to be any different. I don't regret having them while I'm playing. I'm actually very happy I do have them while I'm playing. Yeah, maybe that day will come, too, when they will scream my name and come after me. Right now it's still just a bit early.
Commenting on the scheduling of Davis Cup right after Wimbledon…
RAFAEL NADAL: The problem is the ITF, my opinion. They don't want to change nothing. They are never able to change nothing on the calendar, nothing in the format of the Davis Cup competition. And some thing they are doing bad, because the best player of the world, a lot of times we are not able to play. So that's happen, they have to think what's going on, no? But they don't think nothing. They keep winning his money and that's it. For me is hard not go to United States and play for my country. For somebody can think, Well, he only is think about himself. He is playing his own things. Doesn't matter about the Davis Cup. It's not my case. I always try to play Davis Cup. For me is a really bad new not to be in USA defending my country. I love defend my country. But, seriously, ITF is not helping us nothing on that, and for me is an obligation to not go there. I cannot be in every place. I cannot be competitive every week of the year. My body needs to rest. You know, I am here. Day before I had little bit pain here. Today I had pain on the foot. Few days ago the knee. So, you know, I played a lot of matches the last six months, especially last five months, four months. Is too much. Seriously, is not possible be No. 1 or No. 2 playing Davis Cup every tie, be in all the places, be competitive in all the tournaments. Is not possible. I am not 18 anymore. I am 25. I am playing a lot of matches. I am lucky because I won a lot of matches, so for that reason I am playing that match, not because I am playing more tournaments than usual. So for that reason I cannot be there. For me is tough. But for the ITF, doesn't matter.
Commenting about whether she feels like the “old lady” in the draw…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, thank you (smiling). I don't know if that's a compliment or not. It's not, right (smiling)? You know, I think a few years don't really make that much of a difference. Yeah, you know, I had my success really early in my career, and I don't regret it for one second. I think maybe if I achieved big things when I was, you know, a little bit older, not 17, maybe I wouldn't be seen as more of a veteran. I'd still be considered young. But I don't regret for a second that I had a lot of success when I was young, because I feel like I got to learn so much more than players at my age. Yeah, it is the way it is, right? Can't do anything about it.
Commenting on her father not being her coach anymore…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I can't really say it was my choice. After I won the Australian Open, we sat down. My dad spent and sacrificed so much in his life and his career. He never missed one practice of mine, no matter if he was sick or didn't want to be there or I was mad at him and gave him bad attitude. He was always there, even if I told him to be quiet. He committed so much of his life. I think after a certain point I was really happy that he came to me and said that there are other things in life he wanted to do. He certainly deserved that. I mean, I can't thank him enough for all the support. That doesn't mean, you know, he's still not involved in my tennis, in my career. I spend a lot of days with him on the court. He always tries to help me in the off season and the weeks between tournaments. But, yeah, it's different. You know, you also grow. I'm also 24 years old. My father has been with me I mean, there's no one that's going to know you more than your parents, especially if you spend so much time with them… My dad never thought that he knew everything in tennis. I think that was why I appreciated his decision so much, is because he never thought he was the guru. He never thought that he knew everything. He always tried to take me to the best people possible to help me in certain areas of my game. He would learn from them and he would try to, you know, gather all this information and then help me. But then after so many years on tour you learn a lot more than maybe coaches, as well, so...
Describing his thoughts in coming back from two sets to love down against Roger Federer in the quarters…
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: You know, at the moment you don't think about it. You know, you just think about you have to stay consistent and keep your serve, and that's it. Then it comes true. When you are at two sets to one, you say, Okay, I can win another one and then it's the fifth set.
Describing playing against Roger Federer…
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: You know, is difficult to play against him because you don't know exactly what he's thinking, what's happen in his head. He has all the time the same comportment, and it's difficult because he plays so fast. You don't know if he's scared or not, and it's really difficult. So I think the way he plays, the way he plays is the best and is difficult. But, anyway, I didn't look at him. I was just focused on me, on my serve, and that's it.
Commenting on his loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
ROGER FEDERER: Not much. I mean, I think we just played both well from start to finish. We didn't give each other many looks on our serves. It reminded me to a degree of the Roddick match I played here in the finals. It was that tough getting sort of Love 30, 15 30, 15 40 leads. They were very rare. Whenever you would get a ball back somewhat decent, you know, the other guy slams the door every time. Forehand in the corner. You're trying to get out of that position, but it's hard. I think we both did a really good job of doing the 1 2 punch. I knew he could do it. It was not really a surprise to see him do it for five sets. But it was good tennis. You know, I really enjoyed it. It was unfortunate at the end I wasn't able to come out of it. From start to finish I felt also I was playing well. Didn't take much time between points. It was a quick match for both of us. Before you know it, all of a sudden you're down a break in the fifth. You know, things don't look so good, but you're feeling actually pretty good, which is a bit unfortunate.
Describing how long it will take him to recover from this loss…
ROGER FEDERER: This is part of the process. I mean, look, I think this one for some reason's gonna be easier to digest than the last year's defeat. Even though this one was in five sets and I was up two sets to love, I don't really feel like I lost from two sets to love up. Kind of a strange feeling because I did play well myself. There's not much I can't blame my poor returning or my poor serving or my poor movement or anything like that in this match, and that makes it, I think, a bit easier to digest. Who knows, maybe it's going to hurt me more in three days. I doubt it. I'll be able to move on quickly. Nevertheless, it's disappointing that I loss.
Commenting after winning her semi to reach the final whether she had thought at the beginning of the tournament that she could win Wimbledon…
PETRA KVITOVA: Well, no, I didn't think like that I could win in the Wimbledon. I was good practice in the Eastbourne and I won some matches. It was important for me.
And when I came here, I just play match after match and nothing more.
Commenting on whether she’d take tennis advice from her fiancé, Sasha…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't think I would allow that (laughter).
Commenting on her relationship with her dad now that he’s not her coach…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I don't tell him to be quiet that often anymore (laughter).
No. I mean, at the end of the day he's still my father and he's someone that knows me the best as anyone's ever going to know me my mom, as well. I've always had a really good relationship with my dad. When things wouldn't go well on the court or we'd have an argument at the end of the day, we always ended with laughs at a dinner table. We'd go on to other things, or my mom would be pushing me for homework, to do my stuff. So it's a pretty nice relationship to have.
Commenting after reaching the final and becoming Number One how hard it has been to become Number One while Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are playing…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: That's true. That's a good question because both of them are incredibly consistent with their success and so dominant the last couple years. They don't give you a lot of chances to become No. 1. So I guess you need to lose only one match in seven months to get there (laughter). If you can do that, then well done.
Describing his dreams as a boy to one day become ranked Number One…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think every child has a dream to become something in his life. We live from those dreams. Obviously I had a big support of my family and people around me that allowed me to have the opportunity to reach that dream, you know, to reach the life goal. Yes, I mean, I started in the mountains. Started in a very small place, and then I continued in Belgrade practising tennis that wasn't really popular at the times. We were going through some really difficult periods. You know, our country had wars and stuff. So, you know, it wasn't easy to hold that desire and really believe in yourself. But I always did, and the people close to me did. So, I mean, to reach here, it is something really special.
Commenting on whether he ever doubted he would reach Number One…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: There were times in last two, three years where it was really difficult when I was losing most of those important matches at the later stages of the majors against those two guys. But, look, you know, I've always believed in myself. I have to say there were times when I questioned myself, but I always overcomed it because the belief was so strong. You know, I knew that if I work hard, if I work on my game to try to improve it, get it to the stage where I feel comfortable to beat those guys. Competing with them, it is really challenging. But, again, on the other side they make you improve. Because they are so good, you have to come up with your best tennis.
After losing to Rafael Nadal in the semis, describing what he’d do to recover from the loss…
ANDY MURRAY: Work harder than I ever did before. Try and improve my game and get stronger. Be more professional. Yeah, try and learn from what happened today. Yeah, think about the things that I need to improve. Yeah, that's all you can do. You've just got to work harder than you have done in the past to get better. It's a very tough era I think in tennis. Tennis right at the top of the game is exceptional. So not only to get level with those guys, but to push past them, you need to work harder than them. That's what I need to try to do.
Commenting after reaching the final, but also dropping to Number Two in the rankings…
RAFAEL NADAL: For me, seriously, that's something that really doesn't matter a lot. You know, I said last year when I was No. 3 or No. 4. I said when I was No. 1 for me is not a big goal for me. For me big goal is be competitive, be healthy. Be competitive every time when I am on court and try to be at my best in the important moments, no, in all the tournaments, because all the tournaments are important, no? Yeah, today I lost the No. 1. I did lost the No. 1. One guy played unbelievable the first half of the year so he's the new No. 1. We just can congratulate him because what he did this first part of the season is something really impressive, really fantastic. I am happy about how I did. I think in normal conditions I would be No. 1 or a lot of chances to keep being the No. 1 for me for a few more time, because my results are really good the first part of the season, too. But one guy did unbelievable, and congratulations.
Commenting on her performance after losing in the final…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, besides the fact that I lost, I think this is a big step for me, being here in the final. You know, feel like I'm improving this year. That gives me a tremendous amount of confidence for the rest of the year. Yeah, considering that I hadn't been past the fourth round in a few years, this gives me a lot of confidence.
Commenting on what she could have improved after losing the final to Petra Kvitova…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I think there were a lot of things that I could have done better besides the serve. When we were in the points, I wouldn't say I won every single point. I think I could have done a much better job. You know, it's also about the serve and the first ball, the return and the first ball, and she was just doing that a lot better than I was.
Describing how she approached playing the final…
PETRA KVITOVA: Well, I was like before the normal match. We spoke with the coaches that I'm playing today fourth round. So, yeah, I was surprised how I was feeling on the court because I was focused only on the point and on the game and not on the final and the medal. So I'm so happy for that.
Describing how she played the final…
PETRA KVITOVA: It was about the serve, for sure, and the return. I know that she's return very well, but I know that I can return her serve also. I knew that she make some double fault. So I was preparing for the fast play like with Azarenka. I don't think so that she has some shot worse or something, so it was just rallies.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, normally when you have kids, it definitely changes to some degree your mindset. For some who were maybe living in a bubble, that definitely pops that bubble and makes you think there's definitely something else in your life. I thought I always had a very good perspective, you know, on life and on where I wanted to go, how important tennis is to me, how important other things are in life to me as well. I think I was always able to have a great balance. So when the kids came around for me, it was natural. It was something I always wanted to do with Mirka. You have nine months sort of getting ready for it while she's pregnant. You sort of hope it all goes well, which it did. Obviously it's busy, it's intense with twins, but I love every moment of it. I wouldn't want it to be any different. I don't regret having them while I'm playing. I'm actually very happy I do have them while I'm playing. Yeah, maybe that day will come, too, when they will scream my name and come after me. Right now it's still just a bit early.
Commenting on the scheduling of Davis Cup right after Wimbledon…
RAFAEL NADAL: The problem is the ITF, my opinion. They don't want to change nothing. They are never able to change nothing on the calendar, nothing in the format of the Davis Cup competition. And some thing they are doing bad, because the best player of the world, a lot of times we are not able to play. So that's happen, they have to think what's going on, no? But they don't think nothing. They keep winning his money and that's it. For me is hard not go to United States and play for my country. For somebody can think, Well, he only is think about himself. He is playing his own things. Doesn't matter about the Davis Cup. It's not my case. I always try to play Davis Cup. For me is a really bad new not to be in USA defending my country. I love defend my country. But, seriously, ITF is not helping us nothing on that, and for me is an obligation to not go there. I cannot be in every place. I cannot be competitive every week of the year. My body needs to rest. You know, I am here. Day before I had little bit pain here. Today I had pain on the foot. Few days ago the knee. So, you know, I played a lot of matches the last six months, especially last five months, four months. Is too much. Seriously, is not possible be No. 1 or No. 2 playing Davis Cup every tie, be in all the places, be competitive in all the tournaments. Is not possible. I am not 18 anymore. I am 25. I am playing a lot of matches. I am lucky because I won a lot of matches, so for that reason I am playing that match, not because I am playing more tournaments than usual. So for that reason I cannot be there. For me is tough. But for the ITF, doesn't matter.
Commenting about whether she feels like the “old lady” in the draw…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, thank you (smiling). I don't know if that's a compliment or not. It's not, right (smiling)? You know, I think a few years don't really make that much of a difference. Yeah, you know, I had my success really early in my career, and I don't regret it for one second. I think maybe if I achieved big things when I was, you know, a little bit older, not 17, maybe I wouldn't be seen as more of a veteran. I'd still be considered young. But I don't regret for a second that I had a lot of success when I was young, because I feel like I got to learn so much more than players at my age. Yeah, it is the way it is, right? Can't do anything about it.
Commenting on her father not being her coach anymore…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I can't really say it was my choice. After I won the Australian Open, we sat down. My dad spent and sacrificed so much in his life and his career. He never missed one practice of mine, no matter if he was sick or didn't want to be there or I was mad at him and gave him bad attitude. He was always there, even if I told him to be quiet. He committed so much of his life. I think after a certain point I was really happy that he came to me and said that there are other things in life he wanted to do. He certainly deserved that. I mean, I can't thank him enough for all the support. That doesn't mean, you know, he's still not involved in my tennis, in my career. I spend a lot of days with him on the court. He always tries to help me in the off season and the weeks between tournaments. But, yeah, it's different. You know, you also grow. I'm also 24 years old. My father has been with me I mean, there's no one that's going to know you more than your parents, especially if you spend so much time with them… My dad never thought that he knew everything in tennis. I think that was why I appreciated his decision so much, is because he never thought he was the guru. He never thought that he knew everything. He always tried to take me to the best people possible to help me in certain areas of my game. He would learn from them and he would try to, you know, gather all this information and then help me. But then after so many years on tour you learn a lot more than maybe coaches, as well, so...
Describing his thoughts in coming back from two sets to love down against Roger Federer in the quarters…
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: You know, at the moment you don't think about it. You know, you just think about you have to stay consistent and keep your serve, and that's it. Then it comes true. When you are at two sets to one, you say, Okay, I can win another one and then it's the fifth set.
Describing playing against Roger Federer…
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: You know, is difficult to play against him because you don't know exactly what he's thinking, what's happen in his head. He has all the time the same comportment, and it's difficult because he plays so fast. You don't know if he's scared or not, and it's really difficult. So I think the way he plays, the way he plays is the best and is difficult. But, anyway, I didn't look at him. I was just focused on me, on my serve, and that's it.
Commenting on his loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
ROGER FEDERER: Not much. I mean, I think we just played both well from start to finish. We didn't give each other many looks on our serves. It reminded me to a degree of the Roddick match I played here in the finals. It was that tough getting sort of Love 30, 15 30, 15 40 leads. They were very rare. Whenever you would get a ball back somewhat decent, you know, the other guy slams the door every time. Forehand in the corner. You're trying to get out of that position, but it's hard. I think we both did a really good job of doing the 1 2 punch. I knew he could do it. It was not really a surprise to see him do it for five sets. But it was good tennis. You know, I really enjoyed it. It was unfortunate at the end I wasn't able to come out of it. From start to finish I felt also I was playing well. Didn't take much time between points. It was a quick match for both of us. Before you know it, all of a sudden you're down a break in the fifth. You know, things don't look so good, but you're feeling actually pretty good, which is a bit unfortunate.
Describing how long it will take him to recover from this loss…
ROGER FEDERER: This is part of the process. I mean, look, I think this one for some reason's gonna be easier to digest than the last year's defeat. Even though this one was in five sets and I was up two sets to love, I don't really feel like I lost from two sets to love up. Kind of a strange feeling because I did play well myself. There's not much I can't blame my poor returning or my poor serving or my poor movement or anything like that in this match, and that makes it, I think, a bit easier to digest. Who knows, maybe it's going to hurt me more in three days. I doubt it. I'll be able to move on quickly. Nevertheless, it's disappointing that I loss.
Commenting after winning her semi to reach the final whether she had thought at the beginning of the tournament that she could win Wimbledon…
PETRA KVITOVA: Well, no, I didn't think like that I could win in the Wimbledon. I was good practice in the Eastbourne and I won some matches. It was important for me.
And when I came here, I just play match after match and nothing more.
Commenting on whether she’d take tennis advice from her fiancé, Sasha…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't think I would allow that (laughter).
Commenting on her relationship with her dad now that he’s not her coach…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I don't tell him to be quiet that often anymore (laughter).
No. I mean, at the end of the day he's still my father and he's someone that knows me the best as anyone's ever going to know me my mom, as well. I've always had a really good relationship with my dad. When things wouldn't go well on the court or we'd have an argument at the end of the day, we always ended with laughs at a dinner table. We'd go on to other things, or my mom would be pushing me for homework, to do my stuff. So it's a pretty nice relationship to have.
Commenting after reaching the final and becoming Number One how hard it has been to become Number One while Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are playing…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: That's true. That's a good question because both of them are incredibly consistent with their success and so dominant the last couple years. They don't give you a lot of chances to become No. 1. So I guess you need to lose only one match in seven months to get there (laughter). If you can do that, then well done.
Describing his dreams as a boy to one day become ranked Number One…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think every child has a dream to become something in his life. We live from those dreams. Obviously I had a big support of my family and people around me that allowed me to have the opportunity to reach that dream, you know, to reach the life goal. Yes, I mean, I started in the mountains. Started in a very small place, and then I continued in Belgrade practising tennis that wasn't really popular at the times. We were going through some really difficult periods. You know, our country had wars and stuff. So, you know, it wasn't easy to hold that desire and really believe in yourself. But I always did, and the people close to me did. So, I mean, to reach here, it is something really special.
Commenting on whether he ever doubted he would reach Number One…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: There were times in last two, three years where it was really difficult when I was losing most of those important matches at the later stages of the majors against those two guys. But, look, you know, I've always believed in myself. I have to say there were times when I questioned myself, but I always overcomed it because the belief was so strong. You know, I knew that if I work hard, if I work on my game to try to improve it, get it to the stage where I feel comfortable to beat those guys. Competing with them, it is really challenging. But, again, on the other side they make you improve. Because they are so good, you have to come up with your best tennis.
After losing to Rafael Nadal in the semis, describing what he’d do to recover from the loss…
ANDY MURRAY: Work harder than I ever did before. Try and improve my game and get stronger. Be more professional. Yeah, try and learn from what happened today. Yeah, think about the things that I need to improve. Yeah, that's all you can do. You've just got to work harder than you have done in the past to get better. It's a very tough era I think in tennis. Tennis right at the top of the game is exceptional. So not only to get level with those guys, but to push past them, you need to work harder than them. That's what I need to try to do.
Commenting after reaching the final, but also dropping to Number Two in the rankings…
RAFAEL NADAL: For me, seriously, that's something that really doesn't matter a lot. You know, I said last year when I was No. 3 or No. 4. I said when I was No. 1 for me is not a big goal for me. For me big goal is be competitive, be healthy. Be competitive every time when I am on court and try to be at my best in the important moments, no, in all the tournaments, because all the tournaments are important, no? Yeah, today I lost the No. 1. I did lost the No. 1. One guy played unbelievable the first half of the year so he's the new No. 1. We just can congratulate him because what he did this first part of the season is something really impressive, really fantastic. I am happy about how I did. I think in normal conditions I would be No. 1 or a lot of chances to keep being the No. 1 for me for a few more time, because my results are really good the first part of the season, too. But one guy did unbelievable, and congratulations.
Commenting on her performance after losing in the final…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, besides the fact that I lost, I think this is a big step for me, being here in the final. You know, feel like I'm improving this year. That gives me a tremendous amount of confidence for the rest of the year. Yeah, considering that I hadn't been past the fourth round in a few years, this gives me a lot of confidence.
Commenting on what she could have improved after losing the final to Petra Kvitova…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I think there were a lot of things that I could have done better besides the serve. When we were in the points, I wouldn't say I won every single point. I think I could have done a much better job. You know, it's also about the serve and the first ball, the return and the first ball, and she was just doing that a lot better than I was.
Describing how she approached playing the final…
PETRA KVITOVA: Well, I was like before the normal match. We spoke with the coaches that I'm playing today fourth round. So, yeah, I was surprised how I was feeling on the court because I was focused only on the point and on the game and not on the final and the medal. So I'm so happy for that.
Describing how she played the final…
PETRA KVITOVA: It was about the serve, for sure, and the return. I know that she's return very well, but I know that I can return her serve also. I knew that she make some double fault. So I was preparing for the fast play like with Azarenka. I don't think so that she has some shot worse or something, so it was just rallies.
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