Tennis Panorama News

Serena Williams

“What a good day for fans between me, Venus, Roger and all the other players.  It’s really such a great experience.”

On playing Vera Zvonareva in the third round, “It’s not an easy tournament, playing someone tough so soon.”

Venus Williams

“Another gold medal would be amazing, I can’t even imagine the feeling. I think my head would be too big, and no one would even like me anymore.”

“I fought so much to be here There are a lot of people happy to be here, but I’m not just happy, I want to do something about it and play well for my country.”

Speaking about herself in the third person -”Today definitely seemed a lot more like classic Venus,” she said. “I know she’s in here, but she has a couple of things she’s dealing with, so she does the best she can.”

Andy Roddick

On playing Novak Djokovic in the second round: ”That’s my own fault. It’s tough. That’s obviously not an ideal situation, but I’m sure he’s not thrilled about it either.”

Roger Federer

 

Q. In the bigger picture, in your bucket list, is the Olympic gold one of the things you have left to do? You won one, but what other bucket list things do you have?

ROGER FEDERER: None really. People think I have to gobble up everything to make my résumé as great-looking as possible. It’s not the case. I just play a full schedule from January to November, try to play as well as I can, and enjoy myself really.

 

It’s true since 2000, when I was part of the Olympics back then, it’s been 12 years ago now, that definitely lit the fire for me inside of myself, hopefully doing really well at the Olympics. I did, actually, excellent, 12 years ago, finishing fourth, having chances for the medal, which was completely surprising. I’ve always had decent Olympics except maybe Athens. But I always learn something in life I think every time I attended the Olympic Games.

 

There’s no doubt about it, I would love to get a medal here this time in singles and in doubles again.

 

Q. You’ve met the Queen before. Now she had her first role in this Bond role. What do you think about that?

ROGER FEDERER: I thought it was very funny. Like I think many of us. It was completely unexpected. There were some very good moments during the opening ceremony. I really enjoyed it, to finally see it from start to finish, everything, whereas the last three times, I didn’t see one thing except once I was in the stadium and the lighting of the flame. This was nice for me personally.

 

But then, like you said, I thought the sequence with the Queen and James Bond was excellent. I was actually happy she did play the role herself and that it wasn’t a double. At least that’s what I thought. Maybe it was a double, but I don’t think it was.

Double when she jumped the helicopter – I hope, at least (laughter).

 

Q. What else did you like from the ceremony, that you didn’t expect? The music?

ROGER FEDERER: I didn’t really know what to expect. I thought maybe Elton John would play, Rolling Stones. So, I don’t know. I really just let it happen. I had a really good time watching it. Obviously it’s great seeing Stan with the flag coming into the stadium. Got late, you know, for me watching, but also particularly the athletes in the stadium.

It was a wonderful opening. I thought it was really enjoyable to watch.
On playing a late doubles match:
“It was getting really dark. We could be sitting here at 5-all and coming back Tuesday to finish.”
Q. In the bigger picture, in your bucket list, is the Olympic gold one of the things you have left to do? You won one, but what other bucket list things do you have?

ROGER FEDERER: None really. People think I have to gobble up everything to make my résumé as great-looking as possible. It’s not the case. I just play a full schedule from January to November, try to play as well as I can, and enjoy myself really.

 

It’s true since 2000, when I was part of the Olympics back then, it’s been 12 years ago now, that definitely lit the fire for me inside of myself, hopefully doing really well at the Olympics. I did, actually, excellent, 12 years ago, finishing fourth, having chances for the medal, which was completely surprising. I’ve always had decent Olympics except maybe Athens. But I always learn something in life I think every time I attended the Olympic Games.

 

There’s no doubt about it, I would love to get a medal here this time in singles and in doubles again.

 

Victoria Azarenka

“Today I couldn’t get into the match in the second set. There were too many mistakes, but I’m glad I could turn things around and finish as strong as I started.”

“I get more nervous when I play for my country than when I play for myself. Hopefully, the next round will be much easier.”

 

Andy Murray

Q. After your emotional little chat with Sue Barker out there a few weeks ago, do you sense the British public are much warmer to you? Do you sense the support is growing?

 

ANDY MURRAY: After the final, it was different to what I’d experienced before, the support, from friends, family, just people I bump into in the street, you know, politicians, celebrities. Yeah, it was overwhelming.

I’m not kind of used to that. I understand that sometimes in the past, you know, it wasn’t always that easy to get behind me because on the court I didn’t look particularly happy.

 

But I think during Wimbledon, I think the buildup to the tournament, I just felt different on the court. I felt like I’d grown up a bit. I felt more mature. You know, I felt like my demeanor was better.

 

You know, the support I got after the final made a huge difference, well, to me, to my confidence, made a difference to my practice after that loss because I wanted to get back on the practice court straightaway, back in the gym, get myself ready for this tournament because I want to do my best. I want to achieve everything that I can. The only way of doing that is by giving a hundred percent.

The support I got after the final has made a big difference to that.

 

Q. So much has been made about the burden you carry to try to win Wimbledon here. Become the first since ’38, I think it is. Can you compare the difference between the burden of trying to win for your country, obviously a lot of support in a different way in this tournament.

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah. It’s since 1936 (smiling). Those few years make a big difference.

Yeah, it’s kind of hard. During Wimbledon, the pressure is high. I mean, I said it the other day when I came in, because the last stage of Wimbledon, I’ve been the last Brit in for the last few years. You know, there’s a lot of focus just on you. Whereas when you’re playing now in an Olympics, that’s not the case.

 

There’s so many great athletes, so many sports going on just now, it’s more the motivation to want to be part of, that you want to help the medal count, if you can and give yourself the best chance of doing that. So it’s slightly different pressures.

 

But, I mean, I don’t know whether one is harder or easier than the other. When you get out on the court, you just got to try to do your job the best you can. But it’s a little bit different.

 

Q. It seems you will face Jarkko Nieminen next round.

ANDY MURRAY: He won?

Q. Yeah, he’s going to win.

ANDY MURRAY: He’s going to win, okay (smiling).

Q. I wonder if you are a little bit afraid to face our star.

ANDY MURRAY: Well, no, not afraid. I mean, he’s a very tough player. He has a lot of experience. He’s been around the tour for a long visit our time. I played him quite a few times, as well.

Actually, I played him at Wimbledon quite a few years ago. We played in front of the Queen, so I have played him on the grass before.

Yeah, he’s a tough, tough player to play against. Yeah, look forward to the match. It will be tough.

Q. He’s one set up.

ANDY MURRAY: Okay. So nowhere near winning then (smiling).

 

Maria Sharapova

Q. Go through what it was like with the opening ceremony, leading the Russian team out.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Oh, it was extraordinary. You know, I got there quite a few hours before because I wanted to walk around the Olympic Village, as it was my first time. It was like an athlete’s little world. I don’t know how to explain it. It seemed everyone around, you feel you don’t know the person, but you feel like you can relate to so much of what they do, how their life is, and the work, the dedication they put into their sports.

It was just a really nice feeling to just go.

 

Q. The Olympics happens, kind of fashion week, as well. You have Prada, Armani, Ralph Lauren. What do you think of the idea of the Olympics being a fashion week, do you think that’s exciting?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I haven’t thought about it that way. But I guess. It’s another way to look at things. It was pretty fun to see everyone’s different uniform, the way people want to see their country being represented, and the brands that think of certain designs.

 

I mean, I saw not all of them, but a few in the opening ceremony. It’s amazing how different everyone looked, the whole appeal. Some had hats, the sizes and shapes. A lot of teams had pants, some had skirts, all different colors. It’s nice to see in one big stadium all those colors come together.

 

I wouldn’t say it has anything to do a lot with fashion because it’s such a big sporting event.

 

Q. You are very popular in Brazil. You have so many fans there. I’d like to know, what do you think about Brazilian women? Do you like? Do you have some Brazilian athletes that you like to see that you’re a fan?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I’ve only been to Brazil once, and it was a really quick trip. I think it was three days.

I’d love to explore it more. I mean, I think it’s one of the best holiday places you could ask for. It’s just a bit too far for me. And any opportunity I can have in the future to visit it more, I’m sure I will.

But as far as the people, I’ve met a few. I love the language. That’s the best part. When people are talking there, I feel like they’re singing to you, kind of like Italian. It’s like one long song.

But the people, they’re just so nice. They have so much energy, you know, passion. I love the feeling of being there.

 

Q. Back to the opening ceremony, being in the village. What was the recognition factor with others towards you? Any specific highlights?  

 

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I’m usually pretty naïve about like people’s knowledge of me, my career, what I’ve achieved. I try to be pretty humble about it.

 

But the biggest mistake I’ve made in a long time was entering the cafeteria (laughter). I didn’t walk out eating any food. I barely got an orange juice. It was quite funny.

 

I saw one of the players from Germany. She was like, Oh, sorry.

 

You know, no matter how many pictures you take. Actually, I didn’t sign any autographs, it was just pictures. I felt like a little statue. Everyone was coming up and asking for a picture politely.

 

But, you know, I have so many events I go to, people ask for pictures, but I’ve never been so happy to take pictures. It’s such a unique experience there.

 

 

Agniezska Radwanska

Q. Are you particularly interested in any of the Olympic sports? Would you be interesting in viewing any of them in particular?

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, I would like to see the volleyball guys, how they’re playing. If I’m going to have any chance to go there, I would.

Q. Any athlete, in particular?

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Uhm, not really. Just I think the guys are pretty good, what they doing. It’s nice to see someone else, especially live, because on TV, it be different. So, yeah.