Wimbledon 2011: Grassed by Their Replies

Caroline Wozniacki
Michael Regan/Getty Images

You enjoy watching them play, they're demi-gods out there...on court.

Then you hear them at the press conference, in their interviews.

And the impression you come away with is the tiredness, the sameness of it all for the players.

Sure, it's wonderful, the first time, the second time, the third time but the same question for the umpteenth time?

No wonder, Caroline Wozniacki produced a kangaroo in Melbourne and gate-crashed Novak Djokovic's party at Wimbledon.

Here are some memorable quotes from the players you love so much.

Caroline Wozniacki Bounces a Ball and a Quote

Caroline Wozniacki
Michael Regan/Getty Images

What she said:

"Well, I think that ball came from the other court. I saw it coming. I saw it moving into the court. Then I asked for replaying the point.”

Caroline Wozniacki recounts her reaction to a ball landing in Court 2 in her second-round match against Virginie Razzano.

What she really meant:

“What? Where? How? Replay, please!”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Did I hit the ball, already?”

Nick Bollettieri Is Sure Nadal Is No Slacker

Nick Bollettieri
Marc Serota/Getty Images

What he said:

“I can tell you one thing, Nadal doesn’t burn the candle at two ends.”

Nick Bollettieri, celebrated tennis coach, is convinced that a big reason for Rafael Nadal’s and Roger Federer’s continued success is dedication to the craft and very little off-court activities or late-night partying.

What he really meant:

“Nadal has a schedule and sticks to it. No half-measures in practice, either.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I can tell you a million and one things, but do you want to hear them all?”

Maria Sharapova Feels That Not All People Like Basketball Players

Maria Sharapova
Pool/Getty Images

What she said:

“Do they need it? I think everybody needs different things in their lives.”

Maria Sharapova replying to a question as to whether every girl requires a basketball player in their lives—an obvious reference to her boyfriend, Sasha Vujacic.

What she really meant:

“Everybody needs something—just not the same thing and certainly not at the same time.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Sasha’s not an object.”

Roger Federer Is Not a Boxing Fan

Roger Federer
Julian Finney/Getty Images

What he said:

“Sports is good. Any sports. Just not boxing, maybe. I struggle to watch that stuff in the first place. Even though it’s a nice sport…”

Roger Federer believes that all sport is good, except maybe boxing.

What he really meant:

“Sports has been kind to me.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’d rather box Nadal.”

Serena Williams Is Prepping for the Big Screen

Serena Williams
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

What she said:

“I’m more devastated than ever. I’m just a much better actress now." 

Serena Williams is a reporter’s delight despite her early loss to Marion Bartoli in the fourth round at Wimbledon. The only thing that could upset her on a tennis court is facing “Nadal at the French Open. That would drive me insane.”

What she really meant:

“I’m better at masking my emotions now. Isn’t that what grown-ups do?”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Where’s my Emmy?”

Andy Murray Is Not Superstitious

Andy Murray
Pool/Getty Images

What he said:

"No, because you get sort of attached to them. Like, if you always go into the same shower, and then one day someone’s in it, you’re obviously not going to jump in there. Well, you could, but I choose not to (laughter).I heard Tim (Henman) used to always go in the same shower. Maybe he should have changed when he got to the semifinals."

Andy Murray is not too superstitious about his pre-match and post-match rituals.

What he really meant:

“Rituals are not worth getting oneself in a twist about. You can attribute both positive and negative events to them.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Where’s my Sony Playstation? Don’t you know it relaxes me?”

Roger Federer Is Always Hungry

Roger Federer
Julian Finney/Getty Images

What he said:

“Absolutely. I always have been. The day after my victory, the day after my final losses, I’ve been hungry. It doesn’t come in phases. I’m always hungry. And that’s a good thing.”

Roger Federer is not sated by his 16 Grand Slam wins and is always looking out to add more titles to his kitty.

What he really meant:

“As long as I can play—well, I’m hungry for more.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“What time’s dinner?”

Lleyton Hewitt Is Not Yet Retired

Lleyton Hewitt
Clive Mason/Getty Images

What he said:

“You’re retired for a long time once you’re retired.”

Lleyton Hewitt makes no apologies for continuing playing tennis despite being sidelined by injuries and indifferent form.

What he really meant:

“Retiring is like dying—you don’t come back. If you do, it’s a miracle.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’m retiring.”

Julia Goerges Is Tetchy About How Her Name's Pronounced

Julie Goerges
Julian Finney/Getty Images

What she said:

“No. Why? I think I’m right when he should pronounce my name in the same way. I’m feeling good. I mean, you can ask me before how you should pronounce my name.”

Julia Goerges is convinced that Wimbledon umpires should pronounce her name the right way and is affronted if he or she doesn’t.

What she really meant:

“Ask me how my name’s pronounced, please!”

What she definitely didn’t:

“What’s in a name (mispronounced)? A rose (mispronounced) is still a rose.”

Sofia Arvidsson Does Not Know Whether to Look Right or Left

Sofia Arvidsson
Al Bello/Getty Images

What she said:

“Been in London almost one week and still dont know witch way to look when I cross the street….#Jeeez”

Sofia Arvidsson is worried about the state of Britain’s roads—on Twitter.

What she really meant:

“Do I look right or left? I guess, if I look right, it’s wrong.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“I use spell-check before tweeting.”

Maria Sharapova Is Thankful to and for Her Father

Maria Sharapova
Pool/Getty Images

What she said:

“Even though it was really tough, I think he kept believing that one day he would have more, even if it was one trophy, even if it was one more dollar, one victory over another, yeah.”

Maria Sharapova describes her father, Yuri, as being eternally optimistic and a great believer in the American dream.

What she really meant:

“My father had a never-say-die spirit that served him (and me) well.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

Rafael Nadal Does Not Feel Being Left-Handed Is Advantageous

Rafael Nadal
Michael Regan/Getty Images

What he said:

“Seriously, the only thing is probably you play less times against lefties than righties. That’s the only advantage.”

Defending Wimbledon champion, Rafael Nadal, believes that the left-handed player does not have that big an advantage against right-handers except that there are fewer lefties on the ATP tour.

What he really meant:

“Let’s see, I’m a left-hander and it’s difficult for me to play another.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I wish I was a righty.”