Wimbledon 2011

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

What she said:

“My ultimate goal is to become a housewife.”

Li Na is not burdened by public expectations and will feel content if she fulfils her ultimate goal of being a housewife.

What she really meant:

“Now, that my husband’s not my coach, maybe it’s time I was a good wife to him.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“How do you like my house-hubby?”

Will Roger Federer continue his descent from the totem pole?

Roger Federer won his last major in January 2010 in Melbourne at the Australian Open.

The six majors that followed were divided among two bionic contestants, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

The Spaniard claimed four, the Serb two.

Has the Swiss truly fallen by the wayside?

Continue reading →

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

What she said:

“While I’m playing well, I’m just going to try and dominate.When I’m done, I’ll dominate somewhere else.”

Venus Williams is still struggling with her form—evinced in her World Team results. The five-time Wimbledon champion feels that she will be just as competitive in her outside interests as she is on-court, once she retires from the game.

What she really meant:

“Domination’s the name of the game—be it tennis, fashion or anything else.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“I guess that explains why Serena has more majors than me.”

David Lloyd: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

 

What he said:

"If you look at Nadal, Djokovic and Federer when they come on the court, they have a demeanour.They are exceptionally well-dressed and clean-shaven. Andy doesn’t come on like that."

David Lloyd, former English Davis Cup captain, feels that Andy Murray lacks an on-court presence unlike his rivals, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

What he really meant:

“I really don’t feel a beard suits Murray but since I’m not qualified to talk about fashion sense, I’ll just link that to his lack of Grand Slam wins.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I love Bjorn Borg.”

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

What he said:

"I don’t know why I ate the grass. I felt like an animal! I wanted to see how it tastes. It came spontaneously. I didn’t plan to do it. I didn’t know what to do in all my excitement and joy."

Novak Djokovic discovered a fresh way to celebrate his Wimbledon win on centre-court. He simply bit into the grass. An acquired taste, perhaps?

What he really meant:

“I’m wild, I’m me, I’m inimitable, so I’d better relish my victory with a fresh, new palate.Pâté de Foie Grass!”

What he definitely didn’t:

“If grass is for cows, I’m one.”

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

What he said:

"Well,I guess I have to keep on running."

Novak Djokovic is convinced that the only way to continue as No.1 is to persist the same vein of form he has exhibited so far—this year.

What he really meant:

“If I’m the prey—rather than the hunter—I gotta run—and quick.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’ll walk—from hereon.”

Novak Djokovic Has An ‘Eye of The Tiger’

"I don’t know why I ate the grass. I felt like an animal! I wanted to see how it tastes. It came spontaneously. I didn’t plan to do it. I didn’t know what to do in all my excitement and joy."

—Novak Djokovic describing his wild rite on centre-court on winning Wimbledon for the first time.

Perhaps, the slim Serb was feeling like a tiger—admittedly a grass-chewing one.

Survivor wrote a song for Rocky III in 1982 called the ‘Eye of The Tiger’.

The lyrics could very well depict the Djoker’s elation at achieving a long-held dream.

Survivor – Eye Of The Tiger (As Is Version)

Risin’ up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I’m back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive

So many times, it happens too fast
You change your passion for glory
Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

It’s the, eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight
Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watchin’ us all with the eye of the tiger…

Face to face, out in the heat
Hangin’ tough, stayin’ hungry
They stack the odds still we take to the street
For the kill with the skill to survive

It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight
Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watchin’ us all with the eye of the tiger…

Risin’ up, straight to the top
Had the guts, got the glory
Went the distance, now I’m not gonna stop
Just a man and his will to survive

It’s the, eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight
Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watchin’ us all with the eye of the tiger…

The eye of the tiger…
The eye of the tiger…
The eye of the tiger…
The eye of the tiger…

Quote of the day:
A coupla months in the laboratory can save a coupla hours in the library. – Westheimer’s Discovery

Underwear, one-way streets and Central European champions

“Bjorn Loves John”—that’s what will be emblazoned on Bjorn Borg’s new line of underwear.

Mac the Mouth disclosed that he has donned the Borg name under his pants for the past 10 years. Now, he has a chance to get his own back.

The former champs are serious.

But John, why wear those undies beneath your clothes? Wear them over  like a modern-day superhero where those labels are visible to all and sundry.

A better idea would be for Bjorn to launch a special edition of ‘Borg loves Nadal’ when the Spaniard equals Bjorn’s record of 11 majors.

For a man who is immensely flattered to be compared to the inimitable Swede, there could be no bigger compliment.

But then, Armani might not be too happy about it.

For now, it’s merely a ‘Perfect 10’  for the Mallorcan.

Rafael Nadal was on his way to a third Wimbledon title and his 11th major, until he turned into a one-way path—‘Djokovic Street’. Unfortunately, traffic was not flowing his way.

The Serbian knocked out the defending champion in four sets, a thorough demolition of the man who would be ‘GOAT’. Is there a chance that we might soon be saying the same of Nadal, that he is the best ever except he was not the best of his generation?

That’s assuming the Djoker can sustain his spell of excellence and attain a stranglehold over his senior—by a year.

We shall see.

Did you know?

Petra Kvitova is the first Czech woman since Jana Novotna—in 1998—to win Wimbledon.

Jan Kodes was the last Czech man to triumph at Wimbledon in 1973 representing the erstwhile Czechoslovakia.

Novak Djokovic is the first Serbian to win the men’s title. He is the first man from a Central European country to win the title since Croatian Goran Ivanisevic in 2001.

No Central European ‘pair’ have lifted the singles title in the same year.

Quote of the day:
In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by everyone, something that no one ever knew before. But in poetry, it’s the exact opposite. – Paul Dirac

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

What he said:

‘It’s hilarious. It happens three or four times a match. I don’t find it amusing.’

Andy Murray is not amused that some fans think it a gag to start a ‘Come on, Tim’ chorus whenever he plays at Wimbledon—an obvious reference to his predecessor Tim Henman, who made four Wimbledon semis without making a single final.

What he really meant:

“Aw, come on, chaps. Tim’s retired, besides he never got to a Slam final. I have three appearances.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Now, you know why I grew a beard this year. I was hoping they wouldn’t recognise me and leave me alone.”

“You do know, it’s not called ‘Henman Hill’ anymore.’Murray Mound’, it is!”

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

What he said:

"I think it’s about time she stopped that nonsense. Makes me want to throw up. It’s disgusting,"

Andy Murray is disgusted that his mother, Judy, named his hitting partner and quarter-final opponent, Feliciano Lopez, ‘Deliciano’, a moniker that stuck. Murray embarrassed his mother by then telling Lopez that his mother thought him ‘beautiful’ and asked for a picture of them together.

What he really meant:

“You’re embarrassing me, Mother. Stop.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Why couldn’t she come up with a nickname like that for me or Jaime?”