2013/05/20

Mardy Fish Withdraws From Australian Open

(November 27, 2012) Reuters reports that Mardy Fish has withdrawn from the Australian Open still recovering from issues in relation to his May heart surgery reports his agent John Tobias on Wednesday.

“The good news is that Mardy’s health is improving and he is back on the court slowing getting back into his regular workouts,” Tobias said in an email to Reuters.

Fish’s last tournament was the US Open when he pulled out of the tournament with heart palpitations before his round of 16 match against Roger Federer.
The current world No. 27, Fish first had a problem with his heartbeat before a Davis Cup rubber in February.

Fish plans to return to action in February for the SAP Open in San Jose.

The Australian Open begins on January 14, 2013.

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James Blake Joins Players In Raising Money To Benefit Those Affected By Hurricane Sandy

( November 12, 2012) James Blake, who currently resides (and grew up) in Connecticut, is helping raise money to benefit those affected by Hurricane Sandy. He’s auctioning off three of his match jerseys featuring his autograph along with those of top American tennis stars Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish and Sam Querrey. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Red Cross.

“Seeing the devastation in areas I grew up around is difficult,” said Blake. “The people of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut are surely resilient, but there’s still room for us all to help. I’ve selected the Red Cross because it does an amazing job on multiple levels; it provides everything from food and blankets to mental health support for those affected.”

The eBay Giving Works auctions last 7 days. Those who want to make a bid can go to:

EBay Jerseys

For more details visit www.JamesBlakeTennis.com

Blake wed long-time girlfriend Emily Snider on Friday, according to People Magazine. The couple have a five-month old daughter named Riley Elizabeth.

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Clash of the Continents to Feature Tipsarevic, Fish, Nishikori and Monaco

(November 8, 2012) The Clash of Continents  will take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on November 24th and 25th featuring four tennis stars representing the continents of Asia, Europe, North America and South America.

 

Participating will be World No.9 Janko Tipsarevic, representing Europe, Japan’s Kei Nishikori representing Asia, Mardy Fish playing for North American while Juan Monaco will carry the flag for South America.
With prize money of US$520,000, the continental round-robin format will have the players compete over two days and battle for “Pride, Honor & Glory”.

In addition to the competition between the men, Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia will battle China’s Peng Shuai on Sunday.

 

Alongside the event is the addition of a Tennis Festival at the Kallang Tennis Centre that aims to encourage communities from all walks of life to learn tennis and to lead a healthy active lifestyle through sport.

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Tennis News Net Notes for September 27, 2012

 

Serena Williams (illness) and sister Venus (back) have withdrawn from the China Open which begins in Beijing next week.

Mardy Fish has withdrawn from Tokyo and Rafael Nadal has officially pulled out of the Shanghai Rolex Masters.

 

The Miami Herald reports that the Sony Open wants to upgrade its facilities by promoting  a ballot measure to upgrade the facility and extend the tournament’s lease.

 

In anticipation of “the Gillette Federer Tour,”  December 6-8, Roger Federer posted a few photos of himself in both a Brazilian volleyball and football (soccer) outfit on his Facebook page.

His South American Tour will hit Brazil, Argentina and Colombia in December. Scheduled to participate are Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Thomaz Bellucci, Bruno Soares, Marcelo Melo, Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan.

 

The Tennessean reported on Wednesday that Vanderbilt University is sanctioning two of its women’s varsity teams – tennis and lacrosse, after an investigation uncovered hazing.

 

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Fish Withdraws from US Open, Federer Moves into Quarterfinals

September 3, 2012

 

Statement from the US Open Tournament Referee Office

on Mardy Fish’s withdrawal from the 2012 US Open

 

“Mardy Fish has withdrawn from the 2012 US Open due to health concerns. Roger Federer advances to the quarterfinals via a walkover.

 

The Marin Cilic vs. Martin Klizan match will be moved to Arthur Ashe Stadium with a not before 3 pm start time.”

 

September 3, 2012

 

Statement from Mardy Fish on his withdrawal from the 2012 US Open

 

“I regret that I have to withdraw from the US Open for precautionary measures.  I was reluctant to do so, but am following medical advisement.  I had a good summer and look forward to resuming my tournament schedule in the fall.”

 

September 3, 2012

 

Statement from Roger Federer on advancing to the 2012 US Open quarterfinals via a walkover

 

“I am really sorry for Mardy. I just want to wish him a speedy recovery. We all want to see him back on tour soon.

 

It will be a tough match against Tomas.  We have played many times in the past and he has always been a tough opponent.  I will have to continue to serve well and dictate the points.”

 

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Fish Rallies from Two Sets Down to Win at US Open

FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY – For only the second time in Mardy Fish’s career he has rallied from a two-set deficit to win a match. The American seeded 23 did that on Thursday in a second round and defeated  Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.

“You swing a little bit more freely when you’re down like that.  But, yeah, I mean, I was tight,” said Fish.  “I was nervous.  I wasn’t playing well, and he was.  That’s why I was down two sets to love.”

 

“It’s a big stage obviously just to win on, period.  But to be able to come back like that, especially against a great player, he’s been to the semifinals twice here.  He’s playing great tennis.  His results recently haven’t been where he’s played consistently.  He’s sort of been up and down.  Maybe that’s what I was relying on a little bit, because he was playing great the first two sets.”

Fish missed two months during the year with an irregular heartbeat.

It’s the 10th time in the tournament this year that a man has come back from two sets down to win.

The 30-year-old Fish hit 16 aces during the almost three-and-a-half hour match.

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Notes and Quotes from Day 1 of the 2012 US Open

FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY – Some of the more off-beat questions and answers from Day 1 of the 2012 US Open.
Q.  Not too many WTA players are named Sam.  Can you take a moment and say like what the upside of having a name like that is, is there any downside, or give us on a rainy day a good story about your name.
SAMANTHA STOSUR:  No, there is no downside.  I’m happy ‑‑ I guess over the course of my life, my career, Samantha got shortened to Sam.  The one person that always called me Samantha was my grandfather.  It’s good.  You certainly don’t get confused in the locker room.  You hear your name and you know it’s about you.
It’s fine.
 
Q.  So is your grandfather a traditionalist and not happy for it to be shortened?
SAMANTHA STOSUR:  Yeah, I guess he was.  My mom and dad only called me Samantha when I was little and did something naughty, so I didn’t hear it too often, I don’t think.
I guess it’s one of those names that is not as common.
Q.  You very obviously are one of the best tennis players in the world, but you talk about sort of putting match after match together.  Could you talk about the art of sort of putting seven big matches together on the biggest stage?  Part of that of course is getting past the big three or four that we now have in men’s tennis.
JOHN ISNER:  Yeah, I don’t really know much about that art.  Actually, I have never done it.  (Laughter.)  The closest I have come was last year at this tournament.  I had a little bit of a taste of what it’s like.
You know, I know it’s so tough.  You know, I think for me, my goal is, my first goal is to get through the first week.  That’s so, so hard.
You know, I want to win my first few matches and take it from there.  I was able to get to do that last year.  My round of 16 match I won.  It was a really close match, and I had to turn around and play the very next day because of all the rain.  That was a bit of a tough turnaround.  Ran into a guy who was just better than me.
You know, like I said, I don’t know much about it, but I know it’s very hard.  I got to the quarterfinals last year, and I’d love to get back to that spot this year and have another crack at it.
Q.  Do you feel anything different in your game since you started working with Carlos?
NA LI:  Maybe a little bit change; maybe not.
 
Q.  What changed?
NA LI:  I say maybe change; maybe not.  (Laughter.)
Q.     Families sometimes can be very, very tricky.  What was the hardest part day in, day out of having your husband as your coach?
NA LI:  Yeah.  I mean, after I got new coach I think for both me and my husband I think much, much easier.  Love is love; coach is coach.  You have to separate.
You know, I mean, after I change the coach, didn’t say my husband didn’t do a good job.  I think he’s still doing good job.  But for both sometimes it’s too much, you know.  Like it’s really tough to find a balance between coaching and husband.

Q.  After all the development, the planning, the trips to Spain, it’s finally going to come out, if I understand correctly, but there’s a little bit of a problem.  There’s a guy named Roger Federer who has Lindor truffles.  As a marketing person now, how would you tell America to try Sugarpova and not Roger’s?

MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Well that’s chocolate.  Mine are gummies and gumballs.  It’s like, What’s your preference?  That’s made in Switzerland; this is made in Spain.  No, a lot of differences.

I mean, those are quite different.  I’m just happy that it’s finally over with.  I worked on it for a long time.  There’s not much to be done from my end in a way except promote it and letting the world know about it.

Q.  Ultimately can a gumball stand up to a truffle?

MARIA SHARAPOVA:  It depends what your preference is.  I mean, mid‑afternoon I’m not a big truffle person; I’m more of a gum girl.  But it depends what everybody likes.

Q.  Are you to the point in your career where you’re starting to get old jokes from your peers?
JAMES BLAKE:  I have been that way for a while.  The thing is I knew I was going to get them, because when I was a kid starting out around here I dished them out.  So I knew they would come back to haunt me.
I remember I used to make fun of Todd Martin.  Todd Martin was one of my key guys I would get.  I made fun of him for taking so long to warm up, for his gray hair, for all that kind of stuff, for just in general being old.
He said, Just wait, just wait.  You will be, too.  Now I’m getting it from everyone.  I deserve it, because if I dish it out, I’ve got to be able to take it.  I’m getting the old jokes, the grandpa jokes, and I’m okay with that.
Q.  There was stunning news about Lance.  In our sport, there has been incidents.  Do you think the situation of performance enhancements are under control in tennis?  Is there any problem?  What are your thoughts on that topic?
JAMES BLAKE:  In tennis I think they do a great job of testing.  Of course at times it’s inconvenient to me when I get woken up at 6:00 a.m. to pee in a cup.  It’s their job.  I know they’re doing it.  I know if they’re doing it to me, they’re doing it to everyone else.  I’m happy too do that.
I may not be cheery at 6:00 in the morning when they’re coming, but I’m happy to do that and I’m happy to take part of in the USADA and WADA regulations.
I don’t know what to think about Lance.  Cycling has seen what seems to be like the steroid era in baseball where it seems like everyone is clouded.  You don’t know.  Like he said, he’s passed like 500,600 tests.
But have no idea.  I don’t know Lance at all.  Never met him.  I don’t know what he’s like.  I know his story is inspirational.  I know how many people he’s helped.  That’s incredible.  However he did it, it’s still inspirational, no matter what he did.
He’s definitely someone that makes a difference in this world in a positive way.  I don’t know if erasing seven titles will matter in terms of his true meaning to this world, because it’s going to be a positive one no matter if he has seven titles or not.
In tennis I think I’m sure there are guys who are doing it, getting away with it, and getting ahead of the testers.  But, you know, I do my best to go out there and win and give myself whatever advantage I can legally in terms of just protein shakes and Gatorade and that kind of stuff.
I’ve gotta believe it’s out there at a level playing field, but I also am realistic with this much money involved, $1.9 million for the winner of the US Open, people will try to find a way to get ahead.
It’s unfortunate, but I hope tennis is doing the best job of trying to catch those guys trying to beat the system.
Q.  Along those lines, do you have any theories on Federer as a parent, fountain of youth thing going on here?
JAMES BLAKE:  The guy’s a freak.  He’s so good.  It’s really incredible.  I could spend another hour talking about the things I’m impressed with by him.  His streak of quarterfinals, most people would have that an incredible streak just to play that many slams in a row, and he has to make it make quarterfinals or better.
To do it at that level and not injure yourself is amazing.  It’s so easy to go out and roll your ankle or tear up your knee or for your back to be sore.  For him not to do that is amazing.  I think it shows how much work he probably puts in stretching, getting his body strong enough and physically ready to play all these slams.
You know, he has the luxury of being able to pick and choose his tournaments.  He obviously is pretty comfortable with his ranking and where he’s sitting not needing to worry about that, but it’s still really, really impressive.  He focuses on the big picture and is always ready for these slams.
I need to worry about one match at a time.  I can’t worry about quarters or semis or finals right now.
I’m still kind of scratching to get through these matches and get my confidence back and feel like I’m ready to compete.  I don’t think that will change if I’m playing someone that’s 1, 2, or 3 in the world.
I have been fortunate enough.  I am an elder statesman.  I have been around and have won a lot of matches.  I have beaten guys 1 in the world, I’ve beaten guys that are top 3, top 4, top 5 plenty of times.  There is no reason for me to go out there and play one of those guys and be scared.
I think it will take an unbelievable effort.  I will have to play my best tennis.
Q.  First round do you worry too much about your performance or is it just a case of trying to get through?
ANDY MURRAY:  I won in three sets.  You know, I didn’t serve very well.  Only lost seven games in three sets, so I must have done something well today.
Bogomolov, you know, I think he was seeded here last year.  He made the third round.  He plays his best tennis on the hard courts.  He’s a tough player.
So, I mean, I played fairly well from the back of the court.  I just would have liked to have served a bit better because, you know, I wasn’t getting many free points on my serve.
Because of that, there were a lot more rallies.  When he’s in a rhythm, he’s tough to break down.
 
Q.  I meant more in general in first‑round matches do you worry too much about your performance?
ANDY MURRAY:  No.  I mean, sometimes I play great at the start of tournaments and not done well; sometimes I’ve played badly and got better.
I mean, in Australia this year I struggled in my first‑round match with my game a bit.  Physically didn’t feel great.  Then went on to have a good tournament.
You know, the first‑round matches are tricky.  Like I say, the conditions were hard today for both of us.  That’s probably why it was quite an up‑and‑down match.
Q.  Do the other players see Andy Murray differently now that he’s won the Olympics or does it not compare to a Grand Slam?
IVAN DODIG:  No, I think is for me like these four players, everybody can beat everybody.  Of course with these Olympics he showed that he’s ready for big things, so we will see.
Everybody exciting about him.

Q.  Are you working with Mark Knowles here?  You guys in a lot of ways are peers.

MARDY FISH:  He’s like 20 years older than me (laughter).  Just kidding.

No, he’s helped me a ton.  Maybe none more evident than tonight when I lost my serve in both of those sets to serve it out and still was able to mentally focus back and realize that, you know, I haven’t just lost the set, he’s just gotten even in the set so there’s still opportunities to win the set.

In times past maybe I would have struggled with that scenario, especially twice in a row.  And that’s hard.  Any time you lose one of those two sets, you’re in a dogfight.  I knew that if I did win that second set, that was going to be a big, big factor in the match.

I mean, that’s a long way back for him after two hours of pretty physical tennis.  It’s pretty humid out there.  Not necessarily the heat, but the humidity.  You could feel it.  It’s pretty humid.  That was pretty physical.

So that was a long way back for him, so obviously felt good to win that.

 

Q.  On a scale of 1 to 10, how good was your serve today, knowing what you can do on a good day?

JACK SOCK:  I think my second serve was a 9.63.  I think my first serve was pretty good.  I mean, when I missed the first serve, I think my second serve really helped me.  I was able to start off the point ahead even with the second serve.

When I think I was down a game, my serve was a 10 coming up big on some points where I was down or some games where I was down.

Q.  A lot of Europeans want to win Roland Garros or Wimbledon; for many Americans it’s winning the US Open or becoming No. 1.  If I recall correctly, you said your goal for your career is to make friends.  Could you to talk about that.

KIM CLIJSTERS:  I don’t think I said it that way.  Obviously my goal in my career was obviously to be the best tennis player that I can be, but at the same time not be, you know, antisocial and not spend 15 years on tour, and when you step away from the sport not having any friends at the end of the day.

I think, you know, it’s not like I started on tour when I was 25 and I built up kind of a normal friendship base when I was home.  My friends were girls from tour.  You know, I have a few friends at home, but I think a lot of the girls I was close with, a lot of the girls, we went through puberty together, boyfriends on tour, and I think it’s something that we shared and talked about.

I don’t like to be on tour and not talking to players or not knowing kind of what’s behind the tennis player.  It’s not like it was the most important thing because I was here to play tennis, and still am.  But at the same time, there’s a place for work and focus and at the other times there is the social part.

Karen Pestaina is covering the US Open as media for Tennis Panorama News. Follow her updates on twitter at @TennisNewsTPN.

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Western & Southern Open – Saturday Results, Sunday Schedule

RESULTS – AUGUST 18, 2012
Men’s Singles – Semifinals
[1] Roger Federer (SUI) d Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 76(4) 63
[2] Novak Djokovic (SRB) d [6] Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 63 62

 

Men’s Doubles – Semifinals
[4] Robert Lindstedt (SWE) / Horia Tecau (ROU) d [2] Bob Bryan (USA) / Mike Bryan (USA) 75 67(5) 10-2
[6] Mahesh Bhupathi (IND) / Rohan Bopanna (IND) d Ivan Dodig (CRO) / Marcelo Melo (BRA) 64 63

 

Women’s Singles – Semifinals
[5] Angelique Kerber (GER) d [4] Petra Kvitova (CZE) 61 26 64
[9] Na Li (CHN) d [WC] Venus Williams (USA) 75 36 61
Women’s Doubles – Semifinals
[8] Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) / Jie Zheng (CHN) d [6] Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) / Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP) 64 63

 

ORDER OF PLAY – SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2012
CENTER COURT start 12:30 pm
[1] Roger Federer (SUI) vs [2] Novak Djokovic (SRB) – ATP – SINGLES FINAL
Not Before 4:00 PM
[9] Na Li (CHN) vs [5] Angelique Kerber (GER) – WTA – SINGLES FINAL

 

GRANDSTAND start 2:00 pm
[8] Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) / Jie Zheng (CHN) vs [5] Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) / Lucie Hradecka (CZE) – WTA – DOUBLES FINAL
Not Before 3:00 PM
[6] Mahesh Bhupathi (IND) / Rohan Bopanna (IND) vs [4] Robert Lindstedt (SWE) / Horia Tecau (ROU) – ATP – DOUBLES FINAL

 

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Saturday Semifinals Set for Western & Southern Open

Roger Federer photo © Enrique Fernandez for Tennis Panorama

By Megan Fernandez

MASON, Ohio – Roger Federer gave Mardy Fish one racket-clap but not much else en route to a 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory in the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open on Friday. Federer, four times a champion of this event, has faced a different semi-final opponent every time he has reached that round, and this year is no different. Across the net on Saturday he will see friend and fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka, a winner over Milos Raonic of Canada.

Mardy Fish photo © Enrique Fernandez for Tennis Panorama

Fish picked up his game in the second set, earning the familiar “too good” gesture from Federer for a dipping cross-court passing shot. As Fish hung tough, the Lindner Family Tennis Center’s full house rewarded him with effusive support. No doubt many in the audience remembered that the World No. 20 had stretched Federer to three sets in the 2010 final, and were hoping their baseline slugfest could extend longer into the gorgeously clear and cool Midwestern night.  It looked like they might get their wish as the pair matched strength with strength. Federer unfurled a dainty drop shot at 2-2. Fish boomed a 133 mph serve up the middle in the next game. But the Swiss’s mix proved superior to Fish’s fight, and Federer closed out the match with an overhead on this third match point

“It was a great atmosphere,” Federer said. “Playing an American here in America, it’s always special.”  He’s happy with his adjustment to this event’s surface and balls just two weeks removed from playing on the Olympic grass. “The bounce is completely different here than at Wimbledon,” he said.

After the Wimbledon champ improved to 8-1 against Fish, he was asked about the state of his career-defining rivalry, with Rafael Nadal. He couldn’t remember exactly the last time they played (“Indian Wells, maybe?”), but he’s sure it wasn’t their final meeting. “I haven’t thought about it, that I might play Rafa less,” he said. “One time one top guy misses one major, I think some make a big deal out of it. It’s true that it’s a big shock, but it does happen from time to time.”

Novak Djokovic tends to move quietly through the draw in Cincinnati every year, and for the third time he has reached the semi-final without dropping a set—although thanks to a first-round bye and a second-round retirement by his opponent, Nikolay Davykenko of Russia, Djokovic has played only three sets this week. Today, he defeated Croatia’s Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-2 and earned chance to avenge his loss to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in the bronze-medal match at the Olympics—though he says revenge isn’t on his mind.

“I already put it aside,” the Serbian said. “As a tennis player, you have to do that.”

Del Potro defeated Jeremy Chardy of France, 6-1, 6-3, and Wawrinka came back from a one-set deficit to stop Raonic from reaching his first Masters 1000 semi-final. The Swiss No. 2, who won today 2-6, 7-6, 6-4, has struggled since his tough five-set loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the French Open. “It was not easy,” Wawrinka said, “but I’m really happy to be back on the hard court. Since the beginning o of the tournament, I’m focused on what I’m doing.”

Venus Williams photo © Enrique Fernandez for Tennis Panorama

Venus Williams reached her first semi-final in two years by defeating Australian Sam Stosur 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, sealing victory with a pair of service winners and booking a match with China’s Li Na, who took advantage of Agniezska Radwanska’s sore shoulder and rare inconsistency to notch an easy 6-1, 6-1 win.
In the other semi-final, the Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova posted a 6-4, 7-5 (4) win over Anastasia Pavlyunchenkova of Russia.
Almost giddy in her post-match press conference, Williams happily talked about everything from cornbread (“I’m probably going to throw some eggs in there”) to karaoke (nearly an addiction) to candy (something she’s given up to deal with Sjogren’s Syndrome). Little did she know that here sister, Serena Williams, was struggling against Angelique Kerber just outside the building on Center Court. Mere minutes after the elder Williams opined that her sister needed some rest, she was proven right: Kerber took a 6-4, 6-4 victory from the hottest player on the WTA Tour, ending her opponent’s 19-match winning streak.

Serena photo © Enrique Fernandez for Tennis Panorama

“Today was one of my biggest wins in my career, for sure,” says the world No. 7, who had now defeated both Williams sister in a span of three weeks. “I go out there not thinking that it’s Serena on the other side.”

But Kerber’s work wasn’t done for the day when she aced Williams on match point. As the tournament’s WTA blogger for the week, she had Friday’s column to write. Find it on www.cincytennis.com and see if she put as fine an end on her commentary as she did her match.

Megan Fernandez is covering the Western & Southern Open in Mason, Ohio for Tennis Panorama News. Follow her updates on twitter at @TennisNewsTPN.

All photos by © Enrique Fernandez for Tennis Panorama.

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Players React to Nadal’s US Open Withdrawal in Notes and Quotes From the Western & Southern Open

Rafael Nadal announced on Wednesday that he will not play at the US Open. Players competing at the Western & Southern Open gave their reactions to the news during their post-match news conferences:

Q. Rafael Nadal is not going to play the US Open he announced today. Do you have any thoughts or comments on that?

JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: No, I don’t have idea. It’s a very sad moment for him, for sure.

I wish him very fast recovery for him. We miss him in these kind of tournament. It’s really tough moment for him, for sure. I wish all the best, a good recovery. I don’t have too many words to say.

 

Q. I’m sure you heard that Rafa Nadal pulled out of the US Open with knee problems. What was your reaction when you heard that?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, yeah, I mean, it’s obviously a shame. I mean, I like Rafa a lot as a friend. Yeah, I’m disappointed for him. But I think for tennis and also a major competitions, it’s a huge benefit when you have the top players playing.

 

Yeah, it’s obviously tough for him. He’s had trouble with his knees in the past. So, you know, I hope he can rest, doesn’t come back too early, and gets them fixed so he can get back to playing his best tennis.

Q. What was your reaction when you heard that Nadal officially pulled out of the US Open today?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, not a surprise, because I wrote him and he told me like it wasn’t looking good at all. I kind of knew. Saw it coming. But obviously when it’s official it’s disappointing for tennis, there’s no doubt about it.

I would love to have him in the draw. In particular, sort of the 12 days before the Open you figure he might still have time to fix what he has to fix to get ready. If he pulls out that early before the Open, it must be something serious.

That’s what is sort of scary. There is obviously the whole debate going on if he is going come back for this year. I hope he will. He’s definitely got some more weeks off now because of it.

I hope in hindsight this is a very smart decision by him. But it’s obviously a big blow and disappointing news for the tennis world.

 

 

 

Q. You probably heard that Rafa pulled out of the US Open.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I heard.

Q. I’m just wondering what your thoughts are about that and his long term processes, if it seems like he has this chronic tendonitis.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I really don’t know what the injury is and how serious it is. Obviously it’s that serious that takes him, you know, out from the tour for last couple of months.

You know, he’s a great competitor, and, you know. He’s somebody I know really well on and off the court. I’m sure that if he was able to perform in US Open he would come.

So I wish him a quick recovery, obviously.

Grand Slams. Obviously great rivalry. Going into the US Open I realize there are a lot of other great players, but does it take away a little bit of the excitement for you knowing he’s not going to be there, one of your great rivals?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, my excitement is always the same when I am approaching any Grand Slam. Obviously it’s the biggest tournaments we have in sport.

Yes, the fact is that tennis is going to lose a little bit because of Rafa not being there and playing, because he’s somebody that has made a history of this sport. We all know how good he is and how popular he is.

Again, there is everybody else except him who is going to play there, so I am sure we will have a good tournament.

 

 

Q. Rafa is out of the US Open.

MARDY FISH: Really?

Q. I’m not sure if you heard that.

MARDY FISH: That’s too bad.

Q. Thoughts on that? It’s surprising.

MARDY FISH: Yeah, it’s too bad. You felt like if he wasn’t able to come to at least here — a lot of guys took Toronto off, but at least come here. Maybe he was in trouble. So it’s a shame.

You know, he made the final last year and he’s the past champion year before that. He’ll be missed.

Q. When something happens like Nadal pulling out of the US Open while you’re at a tournament, what’s the buzz in the locker room among the players like?

MILOS RAONIC: I don’t think too many players concern themselves too deeply about it. Everybody pretty much in the locker room had a match today. I don’t think it was by any means any, say, priority for them, that kind of news.

It’s a little bit sad just because he’s a really good guy and a lot of people get along with him; but at the same time, it’s a competitive sport.

 

 

Q. Not sure if you heard, but Rafa is out of the US Open.

SLOANE STEPHENS: I just read it on Twitter. I’m devastated. This is so sad.

 

Q. What is it like when he’s not in the locker room at slams? What does he bring that might be…

SLOANE STEPHENS: I’m not sure because I’m not in his locker room. (Laughter.)

I love Rafa so I love seeing him at tournaments. I get star struck when I see him. I’m like, Oh, my God I wish I could touch him.

It will be sad with him not there, obviously. I mean, he’s such an amazing player. I just kind of — I like seeing him practice. He’s on the P1 through 5 or whatever and he’s always on the first court so everyone can see.

I like eating my lunch and watching him. I’m kind of bummed he won’t be there. I’m sure we will have, you know, still an amazing tournament.

 

Q. Does it affect the buzz of the tournament even when somebody on the other draw is out? Can that really carry over to the women’s side?

SLOANE STEPHENS: I don’t really think so. I mean, Murray is still playing, Olympic gold medalist, Federer, Djokovic still playing.

Rafa will be missed, but I’m sure that people think that Djokovic and Murray and Fed are pretty hot too. So I think it will work out.

 

Non-Nadal quotes:

Venus’ Success Ring

Q. You’re known to wear bling on the court. There is a ring you used to wear all the time, the big round ring. What happened with that and did you replace it? What’s the ring you have now?

VENUS WILLIAMS: The ring I have now is actually my last shopping purchase. It’s called a success ring, actually. But my match ring, I do have it here with me. I always have it. I haven’t been wearing it as much lately.

I have been wearing it since ’03 I think, so it’s been a long time. Actually 2002. I think it’s been a very long time. Just switching things up a little bit.

 

“I’m Not a Model”

Q. Professional photographers take lots of pictures of you. How do you feel about the pictures when you look at them? Like them? Don’t like them? Don’t care?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I like looking at the pictures. I critique myself. It’s good stuff. More than anything it’s fun to see the pictures over the years. It’s like seeing your life. It’s a beautiful thing.

Q. Back to the picture thing, do you feel pretty comfortable? You have been doing photo shoots for a long time. Do you feel pretty comfortable in front of the camera now? Is it different from being photographed on the tennis court?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I’m pretty comfortable. If I had a choice I’d go to practice over a photo shoot. I’m not a model. I’m an athlete, you know, a fighting athlete on the court. That’s my main thing.

 

 

Agniezska Radwanska

 

Love you sis, but I want to be No. 1

Q. Your sister (Ursula) has been playing really well. Probably a career high ranking. How much of that do you think is partially how well you’ve been doing also? Do you think the family feeds off each other at all?

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, I think so, but I’m just very happy that, you know, she’s playing very good and have some good results last couple weeks.

Actually, I think she’s on court now, so I really gonna cheer for her maybe from the locker room because it’s really hot out there and I need to rest after my match.

But I think it’s great thing to have a sister on tour, especially that we are very close. I just hope she can be also, you know, maybe not No. 1 but No. 2, because I want to be No. 1. (Smiling.)

 

Q. Are you focused at all on how close you actually are to No. 1 right now?

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, I know that I am close, but it’s, I think, it’s still a little bit, you know, far from No. 1. I’m just going to do everything in my power to be No. 1, at least for a week, so I know that I have chances this year to do that.

 

Doesn’t have a goal to be No. 1 right now

Q. Not too long ago you were very close to being No. 1 in the world, and I was wondering, with respect to that, what’s your goal for getting there eventually?

PETRA KVITOVA: I don’t have any goal like be No. 1 right now. Yeah, I knew that in the beginning of the year was really huge for you guys, but not for me.

Yeah, I was injured in the season, but still I’m trying to do my best and still be in game, improve my game. For me it’s important to stay healthy that I can play.

 

 

 

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