sports

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

What he said:

"In golf you are always in control and in tennis, like today for the first set and a half, I wasn’t in control of what was going on out there!"

Andy Murray feels that he did not draw any lessons from golf’s latest sensation, Rory McIlroy, at this year’s US Open. He feels that in golf, the player is always in charge. In tennis, you are sometimes at the mercy at your opponent.

What he really meant:

“I guess, I can always win despite not being in total control throughout the match.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Total control, total domination. That’s me.”

Ross Taylor: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“I missed the phone call from John Buchanan. I was trying to pick wedding songs for this coming Saturday. I had the music going a bit too loud.”

Ross Taylor was too busy preparing for his up-coming marriage to bother with a phone call from John Buchanan, informing him that he’d been chosen captain of the Kiwi cricket team.

What he really meant:

“The stereo was cranked up. I did not hear the phone ring.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Can you turn up the volume, please?”

Serena Williams: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

“Nah,I’d have a heart attack first."

Serena Williams is under no illusions about her fighting spirit—on court. When asked if she’d concede match if requested by her mother, Oracene Price—fearing for her health, the four-time Wimbledon champion categorically replied in the negative.

What she really meant:

“I’d rather die.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“I’m a Purple Heart.”

Francesca Schiavone: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

"You should ask Roger (Federer) because I don’t have a lot of (grasscourt) wins.”

Francesca Schiavone admits that she is not well-equipped for grass and believes she should pick up some tips from six-time champion, Roger Federer, on how to cope at Wimbledon.

What she really meant:

“Roger Federer has won the title six times. He’s the best person to approach for advice on how to play at Wimbledon.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Grass is for cows—and Roger.”

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

 

What he said:

"She is a really, really nice girl. She’s a great entertainer. No. 1. You never heard about her?"

Novak Djokovic teases Caroline Wozniacki in reply to her question as to who was his favourite women’s player on tour. The Dane gate-crashed the Serb’s press conference on Saturday, the 18th of June 2011, surprising the No. 2 seed, journalists and red-faced ushers.

What he really meant:

“Ms. Caroline is indeed sweet.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“You have an identical twin?”

Stuart Law: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“It was another great innings today. He’s a pain in the backside, to be honest.”

Sri Lankan coach, Stuart Law, minces no words in his assessment of Ian Bell’s contribution to his side’s travails in the Test series against England.

What he really meant:

“Bell has been the backbone of this English side—to our detriment.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’ve ordered extra padding in our players’ trouser seats. And loads of Zandu balm.”

Sachin Tendulkar: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“When in school I found that scoring runs was easier for me than scoring marks.”

Sachin Tendulkar was not a good student but his dedication to cricket met the approval of his parents who told him to focus solely on the game.

What he really meant:

“Cricket was my first love—before academics.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I didn’t have to work hard at the game.”

Wimbledon 2011: Maria Sharapova favoured to clinch her fourth major

The trio of Ws coming together could generate more than enough hype and hoopla to keep sports writers busy for the next 14 days.

Maria Sharapova is making headlines—not for her fashion sense, boyfriends or her clothing line—but for her tennis. A fabulous run at the French Open reminded players and fans alike why she was considered one of the most exciting talents to burst onto the WTA tour at 17.

Li Na—her first ever major at Roland Garros—and a billion-plus Chinese fans ignited a Marco Polo-like rush to discover the next Chinese star.

The withdrawal of Kim Clijsters—an aggravation of her ankle injury—means that the Belgian is—for all practical purposes—-hobbled in her farewell year.

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Kevin Pietersen: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“We realise you guys have got a job to do, and if I give you ammunition you’re going to fire the gun.”

Kevin Pietersen concedes it is the press’ prerogative to criticise if he does not perform as expected. He, however, challenges the perception that he is vulnerable to left-arm spin.

What he really meant:

“The sporting press feeds off the players. If the players achieve, they’re demi-gods, virtually untouchable. If they do not, they’re worse than pariahs, to be torn down.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“You—the press—were firing blanks at me. It didn’t hurt—at all.”

Nine serious contenders for men’s title at Wimbledon: Milos Raonic, dark horse

Image via Wikipedia

In the men’s section, the top four seeds each have designs on the title.

Will it be Rafael Nadal, last man standing, on July 3, 2011 making it a treble of French Open and Wimbledon crowns in the same season, emulating his 2008 and 2010 feats—further etching in stone comparisons to the marvellous Bjorn Borg?