French Open 2011

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.”

Daniela Hantuchova: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

“I was really unlucky—I always had to face the Williams sisters."

Daniela Hantuchova feels that she was hard done by the draw in her previous majors.

What she really meant:

“I wasn’t good enough on those days to beat the Williams.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Caroline’s as good or better than the Williams.”

Michael Berrer: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

“I have to work on that, definitely, I need to be tougher. Like in Germany, we have a saying that an injured deer has to fall. So that was what I should have done today.”

Michael Berrer, explaining his less-than-ruthless attitude towards Andy Murray in his third round match at the French Open.

What he really meant:

“Andy’s getting injured should not have stopped me going for the kill.Unfortunately, it did.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’ve seen the movie ‘Ruthless People’ like a zillion times.”

French Open 2011:WTA forms No.1s Anonymous (Satire)

Dinara Safina

PARIS—

The Womens’ Tennis Association (WTA) have sanctioned the forming of a mutual aid society , No. 1s Anonymous (Who Have Never Won A Major), whose primary purpose is to help players stay focused (and No.1) and to help past and present No.1s clinch majors.

The self-help body is co-founded by Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic and Dinara Safina.

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

What he said:

"I don’t have a Grand Slam in my pocket (this year), but if I win one, it changes everything."

Roger Federer, on his chances at the French Open.

What he really meant:

“I have large pockets and I can definitely fit in a major or two—this year.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Majors are loose change jangling in my pockets.”

French Open 2011: A realm of possibilities in the women’s section

No Kim Clijsters, no Caroline Wozniacki, no Samantha Stosur.

The women’s round of 16 has a threadbare appearance.

Three big upsets in the first week tells a tale of the unpredictability visited on the WTA tour—absent the Williams sisters.

Fans are so used to seeing Serena Williams perched atop the rankings that they failed to note the depth in the lower rungs.

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Chris McKendry:What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he definitely didn’t:

“I can play better than Victoria.”

Bethanie Mattek-Sands: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

"You see two girls, blonde hair, wearing the exact same thing head to toe. If I can’t tell them apart, no way a fan’s going to tell them apart. It just brings, you know, something unique to the game."

Bethanie-Mattek-Sands, making a case for her unique on-court look.

What she really meant:

“If socks right to the knees help fans differentiate between me and other players, then, hell, yes, I’m going to wear some.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Next year, it’s stockings, one for the left leg, none for the other.”