Tennis

This category contains 310 posts

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


Italian Tennis player Francesca Schiavone duri...

What she said:

"Okay, we only have about 70 million. But we have big hearts."

Francesca Schiavone is heartened by just 70 million compatriots’ support for the French Open final.

What she really meant:

“Numbers? Numbers mean nothing to me.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Italians have heart problems.”

French Open 2011: Can Roger Federer and Li Na overcome?


Roger Federer against Juan Martín del Potro in...

He did it.

Roger Federer is through to his first major final since the 2010 Australian Open.

He was written off. Yet he bounced back.

Novak Djokovic can console himself that he almost took the match into the final set. It says a lot for the progress he has made in the past six months. His confidence has skyrocketed and setbacks are to be met with unequivocal defiance.

Federer may not have captured a Slam in over a year but he was unlikely to let a 2-0 lead in a Grand Slam semi-final go to waste. The writing was on the wall. The Djoker delayed the inevitable—splendidly.

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


српски / srpski: Новак Ђоковић на балкону Скуп...

What he said:

"It was best five months of my life."

Novak Djokovic comments on his 43-match winning streak after losing to Roger Federer in the French Open semis.

What he really meant:

“It was the best five months of my life.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“It was the worst five months of my life.”

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


F. Schiavone (ITA) at 2009 Kremlin Cup in Moscow

What she said:

“Or you are a big, big talent or now you can find 28 or 30 years old, and they use experience, they use body, mind.So for young player is much tougher now than before.”

Francesca Schiavone makes it clear that in the battle between youth and experience, the older players have the upper hand.

What she really meant:

“Body, mind and spirit together with experience makes for a formidable combination.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“I’ll hand you a walkover because you’re younger than me.”

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


Andy Murray of Great Britain wins the Cincinna...

What he said:

“Patience is the key when you play Rafa.”

Andy Murray believes it’s going to be a long, drawn-out semi-final encounter against Rafael Nadal.

What he really meant:
“Patience is a virtue, virtue is a grace, both put together can help me beat Rafa.”
 
What he definitely didn’t:
“Let’s just get this over with.”

Maria Sharapova: What she said, really meant and definitely did not


Maria Sharapova at the 2007 Australian Open.

What she said:

“But, you know, good retail therapy and I’ll be fine."

Maria Sharapova intends to go shopping to cheer herself  up after losing her semi-final against Li Na.

What she really meant:
“Some consolation, a stroll down ChampsÉlysées.”
 
What she definitely didn’t:
“I wonder if the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen is available at a discounted price.”

French Open 2011: Top four seeds match wits in men’s draw


Rafael Nadal

“The hunter has become the hunted”

Novak Djokovic has his sights lined up on his third major and the No.1 ranking at the French Open. Barring his path to the final is Roger Federer, holder of 16 Grand Slams.

The duo fought it out at the semis at the last two majors, with Djokovic mastering his erstwhile conqueror. This year, Federer is content to lurk in the shadows while the top two seeds battle it out for the premier ranking in men’s tennis.

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Maria Sharapova: What she said, really meant and definitely did not


Maria Sharapova - US Open

What she said:

“We’ve done this for almost all our lives, so we feel like we’re on this sort of hamster carousel and we just keep going.I think that’s why it feels like every year we come back and like: ‘Oh, nothing changes’, and next year you come back, ‘Oh, nothing changes’.
Same old same press conference room, same court, same people. That makes you feel old."

Maria Sharapova sympathises with Rafael Nadal’s statement that he feels like he’s been on the tour for “100 years”.

What she really meant:

“You think you remember me? See, I recall you too and you’re boring.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Just call me ‘Shareapova’”

Robin Soderling: What he said, really meant and definitely did not


Robin Soderling defeats Nikolay Davydenko at 2...

What he said:

“Against the world No. 1, you never expect anyone to play bad.I mean, it would be pretty stupid.”

Robin Soderling claims that Rafael Nadal’s bad-mouthing his own form had no impact on his level of play against the World No.1.

What he really meant:

“Come on , we all know how modest Nadal really is. Do you really think I’d play terrible just because he says he’s not up to par?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’m bad, I’m bad.
Cause I run UPT.
(Bad bad-really, really bad)
You know I’m bad, I’m bad.
You know it.
(Bad bad-really, really bad)
You know I’m bad, I’m bad.
Cause I run UPT, you know.
(Bad bad-really, really bad)
And the whole world has to
answer right now
Just to tell you once again,
Who’s bad…”
 
(Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad’.)

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


Rafael Nadal

What he said:

“I have almost 25 (years).But seems like I am playing for 100 years."

Rafael Nadal complains about the non-stop nature of the ATP tour.

What he really meant:

“The tour goes on and on and I feel really old, like a grandfather to you all.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I want to play tennis professionally for a 100 years or more.”

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