Tennis

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?”

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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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?

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

What he said:

“I have a problem calling anything where you have to wear formal pants a sport.”

Andy Roddick says that cricket cannot be a sport because you have to wear full-length trousers.

What he really meant:

“I don’t have the patience for cricket. The formal pants are merely an excuse.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Golf’s not a sport as well.“

Greg Rusedski: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"You are talking a 0.5% improvement."

Greg Rusedski is confident that Andy Murray has the ability to win Wimbledon.

What he really meant:

“It’s the small things that matter.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“0.5% will take 99.5% of his time and effort.”

Roger Federer versus Rafael Nadal, Interloper Novak Djokovic

Just one Grand Slam final in over two years between the giants that straddle the men’s circuit. Yet fans and critics alike are terming it a revival of the Fedal rivalry.

Is it, really?

It cannot be much of a competition if the duo have faced off just once in the last eight Slams.

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‘Red, Red Clay’ by Francesca Schiavone and Li Na

 

Li Na finally won her first major at the ripe, old age of 29.

Francesca Schiavone’s hopes of defending her 2010 title were dashed by the daughter of a former badminton player. Li Na was told to switchover to tennis at eight by her coach. 

If there is a theme song for  the two unlikely protagonists in yet another fairy-tale ending at Roland Garros, it can only be ‘Red Red Clay’, a modified version of UB40’s ‘Red Red Wine’.

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Li Na: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

“Age just paper.It’s just plus one.”

Li Na says that the age factor in the women’s final is not such a big deal.

What she really meant:

“Hell, Francesca’s just a year older than me.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Ageism? What’s that?”

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

What he said:

"It’s a good present because he [Nadal] had been struggling against him lately."

Roger Federer plays some mind games before the final claiming that he has done his rival, Rafael Nadal, a favour by knocking out Novak Djokovic.

What he really meant:

“Whom would Nadal prefer meeting in the final? An older foe or a younger one?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’ll roll over and play dead.”

Li Na: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

“I’m not old. Why do you think I’m old? I feel I’m still young."

Li Na is not old—according to her—on the WTA Tour.

What she really meant:

“Age is a state of mind.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“I’m a spring chicken.”