(August 24, 2024) FLUSHING, NY – Friday and Saturday the US Open held Media Day for some of the top players. Here are some notable quotables from the media days:
Q. You were the last person to play Jannik before all this news came out about him and you were very complimentary of him and his play after the final. Curious what you make of all the news coming out.
FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, obviously he’s an incredible player, and, you know, government bodies made a decision, they went and did that. He’s cleared to play. You know, that’s pretty much what I have to say about it.
All the best to him in the US Open, and I’m just excited about me doing my thing at the Open.
Again, as I said to him, government bodies do what they did. Obviously he’s cleared to play and that’s obviously all that matters. I’m just trying to focus on the US Open and, yeah, I finally had a great week in Cincinnati and that’s all I’m really focused on.
Q. There have been a few calls recently during matches that were not reviewable. Some players wondered why can’t we check it on video. They do have a system here for that on some courts. Do you like that? Do you think it should be everywhere? Do you prefer letting chair umpires figure it out the way they have been?
ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, I think that’s really important that we have this system here, because I saw those tough calls. I think that’s really unfair for some of the players, you know, like, not to be able to review the referee calls. And also, for the referees, you kind of can understand, like, tennis improved a lot, and it’s faster, it’s not that easy to be on the chair, be a chair umpire.
So I think that’s going to be helpful for everybody and healthy for everyone to have these reviews. So I think that’s really a cool thing to have.
Jannik Sinner in His Own Words
Q. Shelby Rogers just announced this will be her last US Open, you guys are playing in the first round. Curious what your thoughts were on the news and if you had any fun memories with Shelby over the years.
JESSICA PEGULA: It sucks having to play her. She kind of told me before, and I didn’t know if she was going to announce it or not. Then I saw, obviously, I think this morning she announced it. I saw her this morning, too. It’s crazy to me that, like, obviously I know she had a lot of injuries, but to see people, like, my age retiring, her, Danielle, it’s sad.
Yeah, Shelby and I go way back. We were battling at Georgia, like, Southern sectional 16-and-unders and now we’re playing in the US Open. Obviously she’s had amazing results here too and has been a top player.
But it’s pretty crazy and I think cool in the same way to say that we were playing at all these crazy sectional tournaments. And, yeah, being able to end your career at the US Open and play each other, it’s pretty amazing when you look at it that way.
Yeah, it’s a bummer. I don’t like having to play any American, especially here. Yeah, that part kind of sucks, but at the same time, at least it comes full circle in some way or another. I hope she’s looking forward to what’s coming after.
Q. How have things been different coming back this year as a champion and whether it’s seeing your name or your picture? Are routines different at all?
COCO GAUFF: Not really, because I feel like I was in a crazy position last year where there was a lot surrounding me, like, before this, even before I was a Grand Slam champion.
So, you know, I had basically the same busy pre-week this week as I had last year pre-week of US Open.
So I think that’s where it was a little bit easier coming into all of this as a Grand Slam champion because of, like, the gradual rise I’ve had in this sport when it came to the amount of attention I was getting.
Honestly, this week hasn’t been much different, other than people saying I’m the defending champion, but other than that, I feel like it’s been the same amount of attention and same amount of sponsor commitments and all that.
Q. You just were saying that your expectations coming here are different this time, and I’m wondering how are they different and why?
IGA SWIATEK: Well, because they are a little bit lower because I know it’s been a really intense season, and after the Olympics, it hasn’t been kind of, you know, easy. So I feel the best when I’m just focused on practicing and grinding on the court and really focus on just making my game better and not on the results.
I’m just going to try to keep that mindset and that attitude, and yeah, then that’s it.
Q. In terms of that, having a different mindset, and you talked a little bit about how the pressure feels different than last year here, does this feel then kind of — not that a Grand Slam is ever going to be relaxing — kind of the most chill you’ve come into New York in quite some time? Because obviously in ’22 there was a lot going on in that season as well. So does it feel more relaxed?
IGA SWIATEK: In 2022, for sure, that was the Grand Slam that I was least chilled at. Even though I won, I didn’t feel comfortable on the court at all. Maybe only, like — yeah, I didn’t feel like at all. I didn’t feel like I can play my game naturally.
So it would be stupid for me to expect that I’m going to feel it, you know, next years. US Open 2022 actually taught me that I can win even though I’m not feeling 100%. So I wouldn’t say now I’m relaxed, because it’s impossible to be relaxed in New York, especially, you know, with everything that’s going on around.
It’s pretty loud here. In Cincinnati, for example, we could really focus and just, like, the priority every day was basically the practice. Here, you have so many activities off the court, you need to balance it wisely, and the practice is always going to be a priority, but you have so many things to also think about.
So I wouldn’t say I’m relaxed, but for sure I’m trying to learn from past experiences. I feel like I’m maybe a little bit smarter and hopefully I’m going to be able to use that.
Q. What are your thoughts about the Jannik Sinner matter?
TAYLOR FRITZ: I mean, it’s tough to say. You know, everyone is going to have, I guess, their own — everyone is going to have their own opinion, but it’s pretty irrelevant at the end of the day, because the truth of the matter is always going to be between him and his team. You know, I trust that whoever, like, the whole investigative process was done properly.
I think the only thing I will say is I think there’s a lot of people that get suspended and can’t play for a while because they either missed their tests, like the random testing — which, by the way, whatever someone might tell you, like, it’s not that hard to miss a test or two.
So people get banned off missing three of those. It’s kind of hard to miss a third one. You should probably lock it down once you get two strikes. But there’s crazy situations where that happens.
I think a lot of people get banned for unfortunate reasons. I guess in this ruling they found that it’s different and there’s no ban, and I trust that he wasn’t, you know, at fault or purposely doing anything. I just think that it should be consistent across the board with bans and who gets banned, who doesn’t get banned, who gets suspended, who doesn’t get suspended.
Q. First-round opponent, former champion, last Grand Slam of the career, is it somehow special? Do you think it’s going to be — I haven’t checked the schedule, I don’t know if it’s going to be on Ashe or something like that. Do you have any special feeling about the match that obviously has different implications?
BEN SHELTON: Yeah, I think it definitely has some hype for a first-round match. I love playing in those big type-of-moment matches. I hate to see it’s Domi’s last Grand Slam, because when I was starting to get into tennis, that was one of the guys who was killing it on TV every single week.
But yeah, I think any time you play a former champion at a tournament, especially a Grand Slam, it’s a special experience and a tough challenge.
He held the trophy here at the end of the two weeks, which, you know, not many people in the world can say that they have done. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity and yeah, just excited to kick it off. I think the fans will love this type of matchup, and yeah, I’m just going to soak it all in.
Q. What are your observations on how Coco has dealt with the ups and downs after having won here last year? What advice might you give her about building on winning your first major?
NAOMI OSAKA: I’m laughing because I have been telling you guys for years, but I don’t think anyone should take advice from me (smiling).
I mean, I would say I think she’s doing a great job. Like, she’s really consistent. She’s No. 2 right now, right? 3? That’s still really good.
I don’t know. I just really enjoy watching her progress and her process. I feel like everyone’s life is their own journey, and it’s fun to watch hers.
It’s the most, like, basic advice, but yeah, she should just keep going. She’s got a really good head on her shoulders.
Q. May I ask a follow-up on an unrelated subject. Your first-round match, what are your thoughts?
NAOMI OSAKA: I like how you say that’s an unrelated question (laughter.)
My first-round match… I think it’s going to be really fun. She’s honestly one of my favorite players to watch. I think we are polar opposites in a way.
Yeah, I respect her a lot. She was the first player in our generation to win a Grand Slam. She’s a champion. I’m really looking forward to it.
Q. I just wonder, coming into this tournament, having won Wimbledon, do you feel in any way more relaxed because you have already achieved this amazing thing? I know you’ve got a big Grand Slam ahead of you, but does it feel different?
BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, right now I’m feeling relaxed. I think on Monday I’m not going to feel relaxed anymore.
But, I mean, definitely I feel much more calm than I did before because, I mean, the season wasn’t going really well. I mean, I’m perfectionist, so I wanted to be better. I mean, before Wimbledon I had many doubts and things just weren’t going my way.
I mean, right now after Wimbledon, I kind of like told myself just please never doubt yourself again, because there is, I mean, no reason to do that.
Yes, I feel I’m more relaxed after Wimbledon now.
Q. What’s been the most fun about being the Wimbledon champion?
BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: It’s a good question (smiling). Most fun. I would say dancing with Carlos (laughter.)
Q. What was that like?
BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Fun (smiling).
Q. How would you describe him as a dancer and you as a dancer?
BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: I think we did quite well. I don’t think none of us is quite a good dancer. I guess as he is Spanish he should be better than Czechs.
But yeah, I think I guess you saw the video? Did you see the video? No? It was on Twitter everywhere.
Q. Carlos, what are your thoughts about Jannik’s drug situation?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it’s a really difficult moment for him, that’s for sure. It is complicated. I mean, I’m not gonna lie, it is complicated.
But obviously what I can say? I mean, in English it’s going to be difficult for me to explain myself, but I try.
Well, I believe in a clean sport. So I don’t know too much about that. You know, I am pretty sure that there are a lot of things that we don’t know, you know, inside the team or inside, you know, everything.
But if they let Jannik to keep playing, is for something, they said he’s innocent. So that’s all I know and that’s all I can talk about.
Q. Just going back to the injury in practice, when it first happened, were you nervous, were you scared that maybe you wouldn’t be able to play the US Open? What was the initial reaction when you hurt yourself today?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I mean, I wasn’t worried at all for my US Open participation. Obviously I was angry because I don’t want to stop the practice, just to respect Cerundolo, as well.
I don’t want to stop any practice. I want to practice, I want to get better, I want to get ready for the tournament.
But honestly with the ankle, I wasn’t worried about that. So I’m sure that, you know, tomorrow or in two days I’m going to be my at 100%, for sure. It’s about time.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, it’s great to be back in New York. Hello, everyone. It was a very nice moment obviously that I was allowed to experience by the USTA and US Open an hour ago at the Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, a great tribute video, and obviously some fun with hitting the targets in the end.
Just kind of sharing my thoughts, my emotions and experiences of reflection on what is for me I think now when I lock back the greatest achievement and greatest highlight of my career overall, winning the gold for Serbia.
Had some heartbreaking losses at the Olympic Games, worked very hard to try to get myself in a position to fight for gold. And at 37 I thought, you know, I don’t know, could this be the last chance? Maybe. So I had to push more than ever than I have ever done.
Turned out to be one of the best performances I had in years overall throughout the entire tournament. Of course in the finals against Carlos, it was kind of a dream scenario really having my wife and children there, the entire nation watching. Just a very proud moment of experiencing the golden medal, you know, around my neck with Serbian anthem and Serbian flag. Very, very special. Probably the most intense emotions I have ever had on a tennis court.
I was saying that carrying the flag, being a flag bearer for my country, opening Games in 2012 in London at the Olympic Games, was the best feeling I had overall in my professional career, surpassed every slam that I won, until I won the gold medal. I think the moment of when I achieved it, how I achieved it, after years of trying, the journey, that was the way it was, I think makes it even more unique.
Q. I wanted to ask you, as a top player, as sort of statesman of the game, involved with the PTPA, and big thoughts about the game, I wanted to get your perspective on what happened with Jannik. Some players have wondered aloud whether it’s a fair system, whether different rules are applied to different players. I wanted to ask your thoughts on that case.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, instances like this are the very reason we founded PTPA. The ethos of PTPA is the player, is representing 100% the players’ rights and making sure that you can cover every possible corner there is to cover so that the player is able to not only endure on the tour but to live out of the sport. We talked about the depth of the rankings and the players that are able to live out of this sport, and I think that needs to be improved.
So there is a lot of topics that are being talked about and being worked on from the PTPA standpoint. PTPA has not yet been, I think, acknowledged as much as we would like it to be acknowledged in the ecosystem. Many reasons why, you know, but I’m not going to get into that.
As far as Jannik’s case, you know, as I said, these kind of instances are the very reason that why we founded PTPA that is always advocating for fair protocols, clear protocols for standardized approaches to these kind of cases.
I understand the frustration of the players is there because of lack of consistency. As I understood, his case was cleared the moment basically it was announced. But, you know, I think five or six months passed since the news was brought to him and his team.
So, yeah, there is a lot of issues in the system. We see lack of standardized and clear protocols. I can understand the sentiments of a lot of players that are questioning whether they are treated the same.
Hopefully the governing bodies of our sport will be able to learn from this case and have a better approach for the future. I think collectively there has to be a change, and I think that’s obvious.
Many players — without naming any of them — I’m sure you know already who these players are, have had similar or same, pretty much the same cases, where they haven’t had the same outcome, and now the question is whether it is a case of the funds, whether a player can afford to pay a significant amount of money for a law firm that would then more efficiently represent his or her case.
I don’t know. Is that a case or not? That’s something really I feel like we have to collectively investigate more, to look into the system and understand how these cases don’t happen, meaning not the case itself, but how we can standardize everything so that every player, regardless of his ranking or status or profile, is able to get the same kind of treatment.
So, yeah, I would say that’s probably the overall, I guess, my opinion and observation of this entire case of what we have been reading and observing and talking about the last few days.
