sports

Andy Roddick: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

A Union Occupies Andy Roddick’s Thoughts

What he said:

"I don’t think we’re storming offices, but I think the sentiment is still there."

Andy Roddick contemplates the formation of a players’ union. The seemingly heretical idea has gained ground in recent weeks because of the atrocious rescheduling of matches at the US Open this year due to rain. Andy Murray earlier called for a strike if the number of mandatory tournaments during a calendar year are not curtailed.Players on the circuit play almost throughout the year specifically if they are also committed to Davis Cup.

Roddick said:

We need to be smart about it and take our time and make sure that it’s well thought out and not be kind of reactionary. But, you know, there is a discussion going on.

You have to have a voice in order to get it accomplished.Whatever our individual interests are and what we want changed, nothing is going to happen unless we’re on the same page.

Novak Djokovic pulled out of the Shanghai Masters to recover from a back injury sustained during the US Open final. Roger Federer has opted for six weeks of  rest and recuperation skipping the Asian swing.

On their withdrawals, Roddick remarked:

They don’t get their money this week. Obviously, if they were feeling well and they weren’t worn down, then they would (be here). We’re not getting away with anything by pulling out of tournaments. I feel like that’s the way it’s presented sometimes. That’s just not the case.

What Andy Roddick really meant:

“What we really need is an ‘Occupy ATP and WTA’ campaign.”

What Andy Roddick didn’t:

“Fewer tournaments, more money. Can things get better than that?”

Ravi Bopara: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"It’s a cut-throat business.”

Ravi Bopara believes that the competition for spots in the English cricket team is ruthless.

Bopara claimed:

"You’ve just got to keep playing well whenever things are in your favour, and make sure you nail it."

The English all-rounder of Indian origin has been in and out of the English squad failing to carve a niche for himself.

What he really meant:

“Tell me about it. I play county cricket—a bloody sacrifice—and yet Eoin Morgan is selected ahead of me despite waltzing off to the IPL.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“That’s why they term the willow—a blade.”

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

Image via Wikipedia

Rafael Nadal Goes Native in Japan

What he said:

“It’s not just noodles,I’ve had teppanyaki, I’ve been to the fish market. Whatever country in the world we play in we always look for Japanese food.”

World No. 2 Rafael Nadal denies that he’s solely a Japanese noodle sampler. The Spaniard was spotted slurping instant noodles prior and post his matches at the Japan Open. The Mallorcan also slipped freebies into his bag.

Nadal added:

“Maybe 30 percent of nights when we go for dinner around the world we eat Japanese food.”

What he really meant:

“I’m no noodle brain. I can grill, as well.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“A celebratory dinner of teriyaki and teppanyaki followed by saki should I defend my title here.”

Blackburn Rovers Gorge On Venky’s Chicken

Alfonso Thomas: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Image via Wikipedia

Alfonso Thomas Wishes on a Pollard

What he said:

“At that point of the game, we normally have a guy called Pollard coming in for us, but unfortunately he was playing for the other team.”

Somerset captain Alfonso Thomas harps on his wishbone—in vain—pointing out the unavailability of key players like Kieron Pollard when they are also part of  IPL teams. Somerset succumbed to Mumbai Indians in the semis of the Champions League T20. Pollard turned out for the IPL side.

What he really meant:

“An arm and a leg (or a million or two) for Kieron Pollard in my squad.”

 What he definitely didn’t:

“Game-changers like Pollard are a dime-a-dozen.”

Anil Kumble: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Anil Kumble is no ‘Gandhian’

What he said:

"I don’t see any conflict of interest here. The positions with the KSCA and NCA are honorary jobs, and I have to look after myself. At this stage of my career, I have to do that. Otherwise, you’d have to become like Gandhi and give up everything."

Anil Kumble is the third Indian ex-cricketer—after Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri—targeted by current affairs magazine, Outlook India,in their latest issue for an alleged conflict of interest.

Kumble is  director and owner of  player management firm, Tenvic. He is additionally president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) , chairman of the National Cricket Academy and mentor to IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore. In the latter three capacities, the former leg-spinner could favorably influence the fortunes of his Tenvic wards.

What he really meant:

“I’m not well-versed in perception management. Besides, Gandhi was no cricketer. No real comparison there. N Srinivasan’s my guru.”

What he definitely didn’t:

 “Money, Money, Money. It’s a rich man’s world.”

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

Shoaib Akhtar ‘Rats Out’ An Australian Elephant

What he said:

“If one could make up one’s body with steroids, I would turn a rat into an elephant. But I’d advise Hayden to take some steroid that could make him look better. Good answer? Give him this answer.”

Pakistan cricket’s enfant terrible, Shoaib Akhtar, reacts to Australian Matthew Hayden’s allegation that he built up his body with steroids.

The speedster was in the spotlight following the release of his autobiography, “Controversially Yours”.

What he really meant:

“Now, if Hayden were following his former teammate Shane Warne, he’d discover that Estee Lauder facials and creams are more efficacious than drugs.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“You can call me ‘Red Bull’ Akhtar.”

Victoria Azarenka: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

Victoria Azarenka Seeks Respectful Silence From Spectators

What she said:

“I would love people to be a bit more respectful and turn off their cell phones and just come and watch tennis and respect that players are doing their job.”

Belarussian World No. 4, Victoria Azarenka, is turned off by noisy spectators and their mobile phones during her second round victory over Slovakia’s Polona Hercog at the China Open in Beijing.

Azarenka, along with Maria Sharapova, is considered one of the worst offenders when it comes to grunting and shrieking on court among women tennis divas.

What she really meant:

“You should put those cell phones in silent mode and just take pictures or videos of me. Let me take care of the decibel levels. That’s my job, isn’t it? Isn’t that what you turn up for? Grunty Azarenka!”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Now, if I could just discover my ‘silent mode‘.”

Andrew Strauss: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Andrew Strauss Is Running With The Hares

What he said:

“We’re the hunted rather than the hunters.”

English Test skipper, Andrew Strauss, admits that his side are fair game for other Test playing nations since achieving the ICC Test No. 1 ranking. England whitewashed India 4-0 at home to dethrone the current ODI World Cup champions.

What he really meant:

“We were all chasing Chicken Tikka (Team India)  for the past 18 months; now, it’s Fish ‘N’ Chips (us).”

What he definitely didn’t:

“We can hunt with the foxes and run with the hares. We’re that good.”

Andy Roddick: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Andy Roddick Loses Match and Composure

What he said:

“I think you should retire.”

Andy Roddick responds to a Chinese journalist’s query whether he is considering retiring any time soon.

The question followed his first round loss to South African, Kevin Anderson, 4-6, 5-7 at the China Open in Beijing.

Roddick paused, rolled his eyes, ejaculated his rejoinder and left the interview room.

What he really meant:

“What??? A couple of early losses and I’m toast! Good morning, China!”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Victory and defeat are two sides of the very same coin. Treat both impostors no different.”