LINUS FERNANDES

Shoaib Akhtar: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

“I don’t believe in teamwork; give me a team that works!”

Shoaib Akhtar asserts that it’s his favourite quote.

What he really meant:

“Teamwork is about doing your job and allowing,ensuring and facilitating your teammates to do theirs well or better.”

“Everyone works but not all pull in the same direction.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“’Working in Teams’ —That’s the next stop on my motivational speeches tour.”

Dominic Cork: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“I’m a bit like Sepp Blatter at the moment in Hampshire: crisis, what crisis?”

Dominic Cork compares himself and his county side, Hampshire, struggling at the bottom of Division One to embattled FIFA President, Sepp Blatter.

What he really meant:

“Of course, I’m not like Sepp. We’re miles apart but you wouldn’t quote me otherwise, would you?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Corruption has spilled over onto the county scene.”

Stephane Robert: What he said,really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“It’s just to say thank you to mother nature for being so nice to me and allowing me to produce such good shots. In those moments you have the feeling that you live in perfect harmony with the nature.”

Stephane Robert explains the ecstatic  kisses he blew to the sky during his shock victory over sixth seed Tomas Berdych.

What he really meant:

“I have to thank someone and I couldn’t blow kisses to just anyone in the stands. My girl-friend won’t understand.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Next match, it’s the Tarzan costume for me.”

Roger Federer: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

“It was jogging shoes with jeans and a practice shirt, now I dress more accordingly to where I’m going and have started taking a joy in putting on suits. Maybe I have 25 or 35 [suits], I’m not sure. I think it’s important to offer something different to the fans and important you enjoy it, and I do.”

Roger Federer lets us know that his fashion sense has matured over the years together with his game and 16 majors.

What he really meant:

“Come on, folks, I have to spend all those dollars somewhere and why not on nice clothes? 35? Is that too much for a multi-millionaire?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“The stuff I wear on court are all gratis, anyway.”

Novak Djokovic: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“Walkover from Fognini. Bad luck for him, hope he recovers fast. Today I get to enjoy Paris in a different way :-)”

Djokovic marks his progress to the quarter-finals with a celebratory tweet.

What he really meant:

“Party time, pals!”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Let’s pay old Foggy a visit with some flowers.”

 

Rafael Nadal: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“I’m not playing well enough to win this tournament.”

Defending champion Rafael Nadal feels a bit off-key as gets into the final stretch of the French Open.

What he really meant:

“But then, so are six others. It’s all relative.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Oh what’s winning got to do, got to do with it
What’s winning but a second hand emotion
What’s winning got to do, got to do with it
Who needs one more French Open
When my legs are creaky and broken.”

Rob Steen: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Sepp Blatter: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

“Crisis, what is a crisis?”

Sepp Blatter denies that FIFA is in trouble over corruption allegations in the voting  to stage the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

What he really meant:

“Do you like my impersonation of an ostrich burying its head in the sand?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’m retiring to run an emu farm.”

Shahid Afridi: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"There is nothing bigger than a man’s respect, and the way the board has treated me, there is a limit to everything."

Shahid Afridi announces his conditional retirement from international cricket.

What he really meant:

“Power and respect comes from the barrel of a gun and my retirement’s the smoking gun. At least, I hope.”

Sanjay Manjrekar: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“Fans scream ‘Dilscoop’, and I think, ‘Thank god for the helmet’.”

Sanjay Manjrekar makes it clear that cricketers had it harder in his day, without the protection of a helmet.

What he really meant:

“Dilscoop—without protective gear—is akin to suicide.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Ice-cream, anyone?”